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Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker, and harbor columnist for Stu News Newport. Specializing in fitting the proper vessel for your needs. Cruising and Racing Sailboats , Down East Style Power & Pre-owned Duffy Electric Boats. Please contact me at (714) 931-6710 or Boseyachts@Mac.com.
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Update from Mooring Association
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Tonight is the mother of all harbor topics!
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The Harbor Report: Movement on the moorings front from April of this year.
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| Alternative Anchorage near Z Mark? |
By Len Bose
April 10, 2015 | 1:30 p.m.
By now, "moorings" might start to sound boring to you, but that's still the hot topic around the harbor.
Over the last week, the Newport Beach Harbor Commission held two meetings, during which it completed its recommendations regarding fees for offshore and onshore moorings and discussed anchorage areas and the Cheyenne, or as I like to refer to it, the dome of silence.
Good things happened at the mooring meeting, and I have to give a "well done" to the Harbor Commission and the Newport Mooring Assn. This is how the system is supposed to work, and as a harbor observer and enthusiast, I felt really good witnessing the process
The commissioners recommended the return of transferability to mooring permit holders. This means that holders could sell their permits rather than surrender them to the city after 2020.
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| Newport Beach Mooring |
One suggestion calls for a mooring transfer fee of one year's annual cost. For example, if you have a 40-foot mooring, your annual fee will be $1,000; should you sell your permit, your transfer fee would be $1,000.
Another recommendation is a transfer fee of 5% of the permit selling price. For many reasons, I am in favor of the fixed-rate idea.
And annual mooring fees would be reduced from $50 per foot to $25. All of this is subject to City Council approval.
Under this proposal, the mooring waiting list would be deposited into the outgoing tide. Should the city ever have to take back a permit because the owner did not upgrade equipment or pay fees, it would be auctioned off. A person could only hold two mooring permits at one time and only trade one within a year's time. Proof of insurance would also be requested, and the fine details still need to be worked out.
The feeling around the harbor is that the process is working. Keep in mind that we have been down this road before, and this deal is not done until the council has voted.
For what it is worth, I feel this is a fair-fair recommendation. So now it is up to you, the stakeholder and harbor user, to contact our City Council members and express your views and concerns. If you require more information, please do not hesitate to send me an email.
Let's move forward to the second meeting's items of a secondary anchorage and the Cheyenne. This anchorage area at Z mark, best understood as the turning basin, in front of Lido Village, is proposed to be used this summer on a trial-run basis.
Noise is the main concern of the local residents, and I have to agree with them. This area looked like spring break when the anchorage was placed there during the summer of dredging.
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| It can get rather busy out there at Z mark |
I think we should give this a try. The key to its success will come down to how quickly law enforcement can respond to complaints.
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| Dark clouds approaching the Cheyenne |
Next up is the Cheyenne, a 125-foot catamaran that has been moored in our harbor over the last five years. The concept is that this catamaran is the mother ship to a deep-sea submersible that will dive to the deepest parts of the world's oceans.
I am sure dating myself, but every time this topic is placed on the Harbor Commission agenda, I think of the TV series "Get Smart" and the cone of silence. In this case, the cone of silence is a dome that has been under construction for the submersible for well over the last four years.
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| Tell me if I made you laugh? |
If you want a good laugh, go to my blog site, where I have added a link to a YouTube video. My guess is that the Harbor Commission has gotten a lot smarter on the dome of silence and that this chaos will end soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1eUIK9CihA
I am off to the Newport Harbor Yacht Club's Baldwin Cup. Hope to sea ya there.
LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.
Saturday, June 06, 2015
The Harbor Report: How about more attention to harbor code enforcement?
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| The Turning Basin on Labor Day |
By Len Bose
June 5, 2015 | 4:38 p.m.
This week I wanted to update you on some of the news concerning our harbor so I placed some calls into my reliable harbor sources for the most opinionated and up-to-date information.
The Newport Beach City Council is expected to approve an agreement with the Orange County Sheriff's Department at its June 9 meeting for six months of mooring management services.
This is a gimme and no one could ever do a better job than Deputy Sean Scoles, but rather than just hand over a check for $158,050 to the county why don't the powers-that-be request closer attention to our harbor codes? I am not going to go into detail on which harbor codes need more attention, I am just suggesting that council members call up their favorite harbor commissioners and get their opinion on harbor code enforcement.
Speaking of the Harbor Commission, there is one seat vacant with two nominees, incumbent Brad Avery and John Drayton. Avery has just completed his first term and is doing a very good job staying on task and communicating with the public. I hope he keeps his seat, nothing against Drayton. He will be a good harbor commissioner in the near future.
In June, the City Council will vote on mooring fees. I would think this would be another gimme but I am not going to write anything on this topic. After the decision to allow jet packs in the turning basin, I am starting to feel like the Harbor Commission. We put in the time, listen to the public, make our recommendation and the council votes in the other direction. I am going to close my eyes and just hope it's not going to be a loud, expensive crash.
Speaking of loud, expensive crashes, the Balboa Island seawalls have been under discussion by the Tide Lands Management Committee for the last couple of years but I missed the last Tidelands meeting and am not sure what the committee of Selich, Dixon and Petros have recommended.
After the last meeting I attended, I was starting to feel like the best idea would be to immediately repair the northwest side of Balboa Island, not a new wall. A new wall will take two years to get started and is very complicated, maybe we should just repair the wall as soon as we can? The council needs to hear your opinion. You can find more information by googling Balboa Island Seawalls Rehabilitation.
Many of my sources were asking the question, why does our beach funding coming from the Tidelands budget? I have heard this question many times over the years. There was one comment that grabbed my attention and that is to give the beaches back to the state like Huntington Beach has done. At first glance it seems like a good outsourcing opportunity and a way for the city to spend more money on the harbor. I am in way over my head on this one but it would be interesting to hear more discussion on this topic.
Next week the Harbor Commission plans to discuss adding temporary anchorages. We already know that the turning basin — or as most of you know it, the area in front of Lido Village — will be the first area to be considered.
Let's just hope that when they open this temporary anchorage, they don't bring in a mega yacht at the same time as jet packs are flying. Things would get rather bunched up with the beach rentals and charter boats already there. I have proposed a day-mooring anchorage in front of Big Corona beach, which I feel would be a great way to increase boating activity in our area.
It comes expectedly every season, the sea lions have returned into the harbor and they appear to be in great force. There are good ways and ugly ways to deter the sea lions from camping on your property, vigilance is the best way to start.
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| Robert Bents |
Before I go this week I have to give a big shout out to the Robert Bents family aboard their boat Reel T. They have broken all the records for bringing in the most Mylar balloons out of our local waters this season. If you notice the Luhrs 32 Reel T on the harbor this weekend please give them a big "well done" and thank you for picking up all those balloons.
LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
The Harbor Report: Proud Bird is classy and smart
By Len Bose
May 23, 2015
Last year I ran out of time to complete my annual story on Newport Beach's 20 most interesting boats. I came up with the idea of blending our interesting boats into my column throughout the year. Now that the year is almost at the halfway point, I decided I had better get started.
When I walked past Deidre and Steve Bird's fighting softened yellow, 38-foot Buddy Davis convertible Proud Bird the other day I stopped, turned around and went back to introduce myself.
I first noticed the boat about four years ago while walking the docks and then again this spring at Basin Shipyard while she was hauled out for her spring maintenance.
Proud Bird is one of four 38-foot convertibles that the legendary Buddy Davis designed and built in Nanchese, N.C. Davis had an extraordinary reputation for building very seaworthy and smooth-riding boats. Best known as a master at capturing the Carolina look, Davis designed and built boats that were known for their sharp entries and dramatic bow known as the "Carolina Flare."
The Birds' first boat was a 25-foot center console Grady White used as a transition boat and after a couple years they started looking for a new boat online. They found the Buddy Davis 38, then known as Last Chance, in Vero Beach, Fla. After many questions they obtained an acceptance of offer, sight unseen, and headed to Florida.
It was love at first sight for the Birds while they made their way through the sea trial and surveys. After the completion of their deal they took the boat down to Fort Lauderdale and placed it aboard the yacht transport ship from YachtPath. Three weeks later Proud Bird was splashed in Ensenada, Mexico, and the Birds then brought her home to Newport Beach.
Proud Bird is now often seen at Whites Cove in Catalina, cruising the harbor or fishing our local waters. The boat is powered by twin Detroit Diesel 485 horse powered 6-71 TI engines. She has a 14-foot beam and displaces 35,000 pounds. Her cruising speed is 18 knots with her top speed reaching 22 knots. She is known for her modified V hull that provides a soft ride that can be wet although it sits comfortably at anchorage.
Her teak interior is satin finished to the highest of standards that shows a grace, beauty and craftsmanship rare compared to today's new boat construction standards. When entering the main salon I had to take a step back to admire the attention to detail and yet simple functionality of this vessel.
To starboard is a large L-shaped settee with a custom high-glossed teak convertible dining table. To port are two campaign-style armchairs with an entertainment center and electric panel hidden within the interior teak cabinetry.
Continuing forward and to starboard is the down galley with teak and holly cabin sole. The galley features a side by side sub-zero refrigerator/freezer with teak-faced doors. Other features include a microwave, large stainless steel sink, stove top and plenty of storage.
Moving forward and to starboard is the guest stateroom with upper and lower berths, locker and privacy door. Across and to port is the head with stall shower and large vanity.
In the bow of the boat is the owners stateroom with a centerline double island berth, hanging locker. This stateroom is to die for and looks comfortable from the moment you lay eyes on it from the boat's cockpit.
The cockpit layout is designed with the fisherman in mind along with the proper yachtsmen. The engine room is accessible from the cockpit along with a tackle station.
The fly bridge helm station is trimmed in teak along with the custom teak helm chairs. Forward of the helm station is a large beautifully appointed bench seat.
Buddy Davis built some 400 yachts between 28 and 78 feet. Proud Bird is only one of four boats built by Davis that I have seen on our West Coast.
To my eye, Proud Bird is a work of art and is why she has been added to Newport Beach's most interesting yachts list. Make sure you give her the whistle of beauty along with two thumbs up to the Birds next time you see her cruising down the bay.
Sea ya.
LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Harbor Report: Take time to meet the Skipper
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| Skipper Tim and Fairwind |
By Len Bose
May 9, 2015
I recently sat down with a man who needs no introduction, Timothy Bercovitz — better known as "Skipper Tim."
If you sail on Monday night's American Legion Sundowner Series, or in any of the wooden boat regattas up and down the Southern California coast, you must have noticed the 40-foot Mariner wooden hull ketch Fairwind.
Fairwind and Skipper Tim are rarely seen apart, having had one of our harbor's longest love affairs — over 31 years. I recall first meeting the couple close to 20 years ago before the start of a race I was competing in. While sailing toward the starting line I, rather rudely, informed Skipper Tim that I was racing and asked him to sail away from the starting line.
That's when he told me he was also racing. Insert foot, Len. I smiled and went on my way.
Skipper Tim was born in Pyongyang, Korea, in 1931 — his mother was there as a medical missionary. His first meeting with water came after a long train trip across Siberia and Europe when he took a steamer voyage from England to the United States in 1934.
As a young boy, he learned how to sail in a small dingy on Lake Piscataquag in New Hampshire.
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| Skipper Tim |
"We borrowed a bean pole from the garden, an old bed sheet, and some clothesline and went sailing," he said.
In 1956, he moved to California and quickly found Newport Beach and the harbor. He sailed with Ted Ponders on his 36-foot schooner named Albatross. He later crewed on the 90-foot schooner Diosa del Mar and other large boats by the name of Ranger and Lady Ada.
Skipper Tim has owned a 28-foot wooden cutter, which he kept in a slip in the Fun Zone, and later a 36-foot wooden Angelman ketch that he kept on a mooring. This all occurred before he met Fairwind. She has berthed at the American Legion Yacht Club since 1994.
Tim has sailed in more than 25 Ensenada races, and when he first started to race he would go into the American Legion bar and ask "Big John," the bartender, if he could leave his car in the parking lot for a week. For a small donation he was allowed to park his car. This lasted for many years until he was asked to join the Legion.
This was back in 1990 and Skipper Tim has been a pillar at the American Legion ever since, serving as a chaplain, commodore and sergeant of arms for many years. Last year, he won the American Legion's Yachtsman of the Year award, and a couple of years back he was honored by the Southern California Yachting Assn. with the Old Timer of The Year award.
Skipper Tim, who refers to himself as a "God-fearing person," has raised money for Children's Hospital of Orange County by participating in the CHOC Follies over the last 18 years. He has also participated in the Sail for Visually Impaired.
"God introduced me to my boat Fairwind. He has given me the means to live in this area and to be a part of my yacht club. This is a great way to give something back," he said.
Skipper Tim is one of the good ol' boys of our harbor, and I am honored to have him on my friends list. It's simple to add him to your friends list. Just say, "Hello, Skipper" the next time you see him around town, and you will get one of the warmest heartfelt welcomes you have ever received.
While interviewing him, at least five very pretty ladies said "Hello, Skipper" as they walked by. It's good to know the Skipper.
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Jet packs in the harbor? Absurd
I have to use this cliche’ for this next topic “ Really! Are you kidding me. Two and possibly a third City Council member have disregarded our Harbor Commissions recommendation to not allow Jet packs in our harbor. This is a no-brainer, lets see how many more oxymorons I can use to describe this decision. Lets try “controlled chaos”, “organized mess”, “deafening silence”, “serious joke”, “leading from behind.” This is not an oxymoron but I have to leave with “Square peg in round hole.” Jet packs do not fit in our harbor, it’s that simple. For once council needs to listen to the recommendation made by the Harbor Commission. Make sure you attend this Tuesday nights Council meeting at 7:00 PM.
Mark your calendar for 7 p.m. Tuesday, when the City Council will vote on this topic at 100 Civic Center Drive.
Sea ya.
LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.
Friday, May 08, 2015
Jet Packs: Letter to Mayor and Council Members
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
Judy and Don Cole.Attached is another copy of the letter we sent earlier in the week with 5 additional pages for a total of 146 signatures. While this is just a sampling, it is clear that Newport Beach property owners, residents, local business owners, owners of marine businesses, harbor workers, yacht club members, sailing club members, sailing program directors, past harbor commissioners, boaters, professional yacht captains, marine insurance & financial brokers, owners of the 2 largest shipyards in Newport, kayakers, SUPers and other harbor users overwhelmingly agree that the Jetpack type businesses or personal watercraft DO NOT BELONG inside Newport Harbor. Most are surprised that Jetpack America was ever permitted in the first place. Only a handful of people we all spoke to were “on the fence” or against the ban- 2 of whom happened to be friends of Dean O’Malley’s. Even the attendees at Diane Dixon’s town hall meeting on Monday night overwhelmingly supported a ban. These are the people that know our harbor the best and they deserve to be listened to. These citizens pay property taxes, residential and commercial pier and mooring permit fees, business taxes, licenses and permits, marina slip rentals, boat rentals etc. Our quality of life, quiet enjoyment and safety need to be put ahead of the minority of visitors or residents who happen to enjoy the experience. They can still enjoy it outside the harbor or in another harbor that is more compatible.It is not enough to regulate the activity- the Jetpack business hasn’t followed the existing regulations and enforcement is not realistic. The alternate proposal that has been included in the most recent staff report today is offensive. One operator, let alone two at the same time in the same place is inappropriate. There is NO compatible place in Newport Harbor for this type of business. We urge you to follow the educated recommendation of the Harbor Commission and the vast majority of residents and harbor users and vote to ban ALL water propelled vessels above the surface of the water. Thank you again for your consideration,
Letter Number #2
Honorable Mayor and City Council,
Jetpack America’s Operation Plan has an emergency protocol for when one of its customers is knocked unconscious! Unfortunately, there is NO emergency response plan for if and when a flyer crashes into someone else in harbor, injuring, killing or knocking them unconscious. What more is there to say? After months of study, debate, and hearings by the Harbor Commission and its ad hoc Committee, public comment, emails and letters, as well as City Council study sessions and meetings, no one on the City Council can pretend to be unaware that jetpacks pose an unacceptable safety risk to jetpack customers, but more importantly to the other users of the harbor. Under the Municipal Code, commercial activities that “create a hazard to safe navigation, or otherwise interfere with the rights of others to use the waters of Newport Harbor” should not be permitted. (Municipal Code, Chapter 17.10, Section 17.10.050, subsection D).
Likewise, no one on the City Council can pretend that jetpacks do not create excessive noise and wakes that have significantly interfered with property owners' right to quietly enjoy their homes and businesses, as well as negatively impacted the public’s right to enjoy beaches and the shoreline around the bay, free from the unremitting noise of jetpacks. (Mun. Code, Chap. 17.10, Section 17.10.050, subsection A [Commercial activity permits should not be granted if the activity is “likely to create noise which would adversely affect use or enjoyment of waters of Newport Harbor by members of the public, or interfere with the right of those who own property near the waters of Newport Harbor to the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of that property.”]).
Much has been made of the fact Jetpack America has been in the harbor for several years, sort of a plea of entitlement as a successful “long-standing business." In view of the Municipal Code, however, granting Jetpack America’s permit was a mistake in the first place. Cast in the best light, if the Harbor Resources Manager had realized the disruption and inherent danger to other harbor users, and the likelihood the excessive noise would impact everyone around the harbor, following the Code would have led him to deny the permit. The permit was granted, however, before we even knew what jetpacks were. Once we saw and heard them, the surprised and appalled property owners around the bay, the boaters, swimmers, and other harbor users had little recourse but to endure them. Not that we didn’t protest. Harbor businesses and residents, and other users of the bay have complained about safety, noise, wakes and law-breaking by Jetpack America almost non-stop. We’ve written emails and letters and made phone calls to the Harbor Resource Manager and staff, Harbor Patrol, spoken at Harbor Commission meetings, and complained about jetpacks in City Council meetings. It obviously wasn’t Jetpack America’s sterling reputation in the harbor that prompted the City Council to study whether they belong here. Dismay and controversy have followed Jetpack America wherever it has gone in the harbor and for as long as it has been here.
Unless the Council compounds the mistake and continues to ignore the City’s Municipal Code, it cannot vote to continue to allow jetpacks in the harbor. It is unfortunate, however, that a review of the Staff Report in “support” of the proposed ban on jetpacks confirms prior suspicions that Jetpack America has something of an inside track on a "way to get to yes.” Jetpack America's arrogant Operation Plan has a starring role in the Staff Report, and it contains many claims and promises. It confirms Jetpack America intends to operate just as it has been, all day, seven days a week, but also that it intends to add even more jetpacks to operate at the same time. Jetpack America promises to “instruct” its “pilots,” presumably its customers, that they must fly under 5 mph in the harbor. In contrast, Jetpack America advertises that customers can fly 30 feet high and exceed 30 mph. Who is kidding who? Suggesting flyers who are instructed to stay at 5 mph will do so is laughable. After the first “training flight” when customers take the throttle and control their own speed, the entire objective is to fly as high and as fast as possible until they crash. Jetpack America certainly doesn’t use the “kill switch” to stop them now from exceeding the speed limit, and I doubt it would commit to doing so in the future.
Jetpacks belong in the ocean outside the harbor. Despite Dean O’Malley’s claim he just can’t make Jetpack America work outside the harbor, apparently another jetpack business already operates successfully in the ocean. Jetpack America brags that its equipment works just as well in the ocean: “The jetpack can operate in most weather conditions, including moderately high seas and moderate winds.” (from Jetpack America’s Operation Plan). The truth is Mr. O’Malley would just prefer to impose his operation on everyone else in the harbor rather than find a way to be successful and keep his customers safer out past the jetty.
I urge the City Council to do the right thing and vote to ban jetpacks in Newport Harbor. There is nothing charming about them. Thank you.
Pam Whitesides
resident, property owner, and harbor user
Please write in your letters!
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Can you say HORIZON job?
From a strategy standpoint this years Ensenada race was difficult to say the least. The unstably weather threw most all the forecasting reports out the window from the privies week.
We had two weather routing forecasts and the man himself Jon Shampain trying to make sense of it all. For the first four hours of the race Jon was heard “ Why do we do this to ourselves, this is a stupid sport.”
With the wind dissipating at the start we struggled with passing Dana Point by 18:00 and the thought of dropping out of the race was on all the crews minds at this point. By 16:00, not a second too soon, the breeze filled in from the southwest and the race was on.
As we approached the Coronado’s Shampain was leaning hard to the outside of the islands until a northeast breeze filled in across the course and we had our light #1 headsail up and going to weather. Now we are considering going inside the islands.This only lasted maybe an hour before the wind shifted back to the southwest and the Shampain’s called in a favor from the wind gods. I recall hearing Erik say “Everyone loves Shampain.”
As we rounded the outside of the islands, about a mile off, we picked up 10-15 knots of breeze that lasted through most of the last half of the course. Just as we started to clear the Coronado’s Erik called for the 2A spinnaker and as it filled you could feel the mojo role across the boat as you watched the boats speedo click into the tens.
This part of the night made for some great sailing and the talk quickly went to where was those pesky J 125’s? We had a J 145 close by along with Perry 59 we could also make out the Andrews 49.11 It’s OK.
In the early part of the morning we hooked into some breeze that allowed us to place some distance on the above mentioned boats. I kept thinking to myself how we could be sailing faster than It’s OK? In hindsight it had to have been the distance we round from the island, that Jon Shampain was asking for, and how Erik kept the moving through the night.
As the sun lifted over the horizon and we started to make out the boats around us Erik said, while lowering the binoculars from his eyes and looking towards the shore, “There is only one flat top main and that color blue hull and that’s Medicine Man.” In an Ensenada race this is the best type of morning news to hear and crew jumped into hyper drive to close the deal.
I was fried from the night and went down for my two hours off watch and when I had awaken we where entering the bay, my first thoughts where how are we keeping up with these boats? Erik had to have hit’n two more wind shifts. “The 'luckiest' puff/wind line in history let us sail into the middle of the big boats just before the finish.” Erik is quoted from his Facebook post.
We were still ahead of Medicine Man, Pyewacket was abeam of us, further in the middle of the bay, along with two Trans Pac 52’s and Bad Pac. How can this be?
We kept working hard trying to stay in the breeze and avoid the kelp in the bay and worked our way into winning the President of the United States Trophy for Best Corrected time overall in the PHRF class, Tommy Bahama Trophy for Best Corrected time for all boats, the Governor of California Trophy for Best Corrected Time in PHRF-A Class and Best Corrected Member of a Newport Beach Yacht Club Trophy.
You have to give it up to the owner John Shulze for keeping the band together and as always Jon Shampains race preparation. We had a very touching moment after receiving our awards when the previous owner Jack Taylor gave us a heart felt “Well Done” and I could see a tear in his eye with appreciation. Good times! This was a first for me.
"Even though Friday afternoon totally SUCKED; this was the BEST Ensenada race I've competed in all the races I've done sine 1974. Thank You!" Tom O'Keefe Horizon crew member
"Even though Friday afternoon totally SUCKED; this was the BEST Ensenada race I've competed in all the races I've done sine 1974. Thank You!" Tom O'Keefe Horizon crew member
Buy the way I just listed a another Santa Cruz 50 if anyone wants to come out and play?
sea ya
The Harbor Report: Angling for fun in the harbor
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| Sarah Taite set a new "pending" world record in the Female Small Fry Category with her corbina, |
By Len Bose
April 24, 2015 | 2:42 p.m.
The last two weeks of April are always packed with activity around the harbor, and this year is no different.
This time of year I always check in with Amy Elliott at the Balboa Angling Club.
She said the 52nd annual Lily Call hosted by the Balboa Angling Club will be held May 16 and 17. "This is a tournament that's great for families and friends to get together at the start of the fishing season," Elliott said. "And it's a bargain for only $40."
The Lily Call is a tournament for fishing croaker, bass, corbina and halibut using a 4 pound line class within Newport Harbor. It is limited to the first 150 anglers. Lines in will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday with lines out at 2 p.m. Sunday and a cutoff for weighing fish at 3:30 p.m.
Last year's winner, Greg Taite, spent weeks getting ready for this tournament. In my May 2, 2014, column, "In search of the perfect fishing spot," Taite explained his choice of bait and how he found his spots on the bay.
This year's Lily Call awards presentation will be held at the Chicken Coop starting at 4 p.m. May 17. During the awards, a huge raffle will be held for all registered anglers. The value of these prizes in the past has been overwhelming. Sponsors have donated tons of gear, gift certificates and more. This raffle alone is worth the cost of entry.
Because the Balboa Anglers's clubhouse is under repair, it cannot hold the number of guests who normally attend. The club is actively looking for donations to be able to complete the project. Please visit the fundraising website http://www.crowdrise.com/ClubhouseFund/fundraiser/balboaanglingclub.
"The Balboa Angling Club hosts six tournaments this year, the Lily Call being the first, followed by the Yellowtail, Seabass and Halibut; the summer-long Junior Tournament; The Helen Smith Offshore Tournament; Newport Harbor Bay Bass Open; and finally the Master Angler Billfish Tournament," Elliott said.
The Balboa Angling Club remains one of the best values on the harbor, with yearly memberships at $175, $225 for the family and $25 for kids younger than 21.
"Once you've joined the Balboa Angling Club, you'll be hooked for life," Elliott said.
On March 28, 6-year-old member Sarah Taite set a new "pending" world record in the Female Small Fry Category with her corbina, weighing 4 pounds, 1 ounce and caught on an 8-pound line test. She said she used her favorite cousin's Tackle Raze RMB 734FPT rod and Shimano Trinidad 12 reel.
My understanding is that the current record, 3 pounds, 8 ounces, was previously held by another member of the angling club, Hailey Meinhardt, set in June 2012 when Hailey was only 8 years old.
"This is a first for Sarah but certainly not the last. She's been fishing since she was 3," Elliott said, adding that "her father, Greg Taite, was the Outstanding Angler at the Balboa Angling Club in 2013, and he's also placed in all of the tournaments he participated in during the 2014 season."
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On to Ensenada
I will give you one guess where I am going this weekend. If you guessed waiting for wind to fill in to finish this year's Ensenada race, then you guessed right. I am writing my column on Wednesday, and the weather forecast is not very promising.
On Friday, more than 200 entries are set to be on the starting line looking to find enough wind to complete this 125 mile race. All racers must complete the course before the time expires at 11 a.m. Sunday. A lot will change before then, and I am hoping for the best. My guess is that we will be finishing the race around 5 p.m. Saturday aboard the Santa Cruz 50 Horizon.
The key thing to remember is that the real way to win this race is to have the most fun with the people you are sailing with and enjoy. Wish us luck. We will need it this year.
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| Thanks for the Luck it worked! |
Sea ya.
LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist.
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