2015 Newport Beach High Point Series Scorecard

ALL photos are courtesy of Joy Sailing, as always thank you Joy sailing

Amante dynasty continues for the third year in a row winning the Newport Beach High Point Series.

The Richley family took no prisoners this year by winning the Midwinters, 66 and Leukemia Cup. You have to give it up for them they were one of five boats that attended all the High Point events and sailed consistently throughout the series.  Can anyone catch them next year? The AOCYC calendar for 2016 has already been posted. Please take a look at it 2016 High Point Series  This proposed schedule is the worst I have seen.

Time for a Len Bose editorial on the condition of our PHRF fleet. Folks the time has come to take our own destiny into our hands. What I propose is that someone, a boat owner or team leader, from our our local fleet stand up and organize our local PHRF fleet? We cannot leave it to the local yacht clubs any longer! Please note that the Ahmanson and 66 series no longer exist. If this Champion would step up and organize our local boat owners and come up with a schedule that would attract at least half  our fleet of  thirty some boats will we will be moving forward. The discussion should also include a Newport Beach Harbor PHRF Championship.  I would shout out to Buddy Richley, Tim Harmon, Brian Dougherty and myself to have a conference call with the idea of getting on the phone contacting everyone in our fleet to ask for a commitment of these owners to attend a desired schedule for 2016. So MUCH more to talk about SOMEONE needs to do something! Are you with me boy's?

                       Midwinters                66           Leukemia Cup          14 Mile Bank

1. Amante              12                       18                 12                                27             = 69 Points

2. Linstar                11                      16                   10                              20              = 57

3. Tango                   4                      13                     8                                27            = 52

4. Cirrus                   5                      10                      5                               25            = 45

5. Legacy                  7                      8                     11                               16            = 42

6. Marisol                 0                      15                      0                              24             =39

7. Heartbeat             0                       0                      7                                  23           =30

8. Kite 35                 8                      17                      0                                0             = 25

9. RD                       9                         0                       4                              13           = 26

10. TNT                     0                       0                       0                              26              =26

11. Patriot                  0                         0                      0                              22             =22

12. Berserk                 0                         0                      0                             21              =21

13. Violetta              10                       0                      0                                  9              =19

14. Adios                   0                          0                      0                             18              =18

15. Whisper               0                          0                      0                             17              =17

16. Whistler                 0                     6                      0                                  10            =16

17. Pussy Cat              0                     0                       9                                  6             =15

18. Varuna                 0                       14                       0                                0            = 14

19. Bolt                     0                        12                      0                               0             = 12

20. Campaign            0                        0                        0                              11             = 11

21. Hot Ticket           0                       4                      3                                     3           = 10

22. DoubleTime          0                     9                       0                                 0                =9

23. In Appropriate       0                    7                       0                                 0                 =7

24. Licit Split          1                     0                      6                                  0                   = 7

25. Elan                       0                      0                     0                                 7               =7

26. Sting                      6                     0                       0                               0                =6

27. Reliance                0                    5                        0                                 0               = 5

29. Briar Rose          0                        0                        0                                 4              =4

30. Flaca                    3                       0                       0                                 0                =3

31. Habanero              0                       0                       0                                 2                  =2

32. Arrow                  2                        0                       0                                 0                 =2

33. Molokai                0                      0                        0                                  1                =1

       2nd Place Linstar

 Tango 3rd place

The Harbor Report: Schocks keep business in the family

By Len Bose

October 9, 2015 | 4:16 p.m.

Its always fun to go around Newport Harbor and talk to people in the marine business, and even more interesting to talk to people who have made the marine industry a family business.

W.D. "Bill" Schock was one of first boat builders to arrive in our area. He built International 14 sailboats at his father house on the Balboa Peninsula near the Pavilion.

The story goes that a neighbor was walking by and noticed Schock's finished product and asked if he would build him one. Shock reportedly said, "You can have this one. It's done." It's my understanding the same thing happened to hulls No. 2 and 3.

Realizing he was now in the boat building business, Schock went up the peninsula and off of Lafayette Road purchased some property. With the help of a few of his friends, he built a boat shop.

The business grew, and he purchased the property across the street to build Santana 22s. Then moving closer to the bay front, he purchased the old ice house, at 2900 Lafayette Road near The Cannery restaurant, that used to aid in loading the commercial fishing fleet with ice.

Shock had three sons, Tom, Scott and Steve. Tom wanted to build boats and took over the boat manufacturing business in Santa Ana and later moved out to Corona. Scott wanted to sell and service new boats, and Steve wanted to design boats.

One thing I noticed about the Schock boys is that they all ended up with the perfect partners. Tom married Jane, who I never really had the opportunity to get to know, although we had a chance to talk at a number of the Lido 14 parties years ago.

Scott married Marie, with whom I had a chance to work on some boat deals and discuss harbor issues. I always felt that I could trust Marie's opinion when it came to the harbor.

Steve married Ruth, who was my best friend from the moment I met her while racing sailboats in college. I saw her later in the Lido 14 fleet.

The old ice house has been the display room for the Schocks for close to 75 years — next year will mark that anniversary. Just recently Marie and Scott Schock decided to retire and have passed the helm to Ruth and Steve.

Because of this long history, dating back to before there was even water in the bay (just kidding; I just like to say that when expressing a great deal of time), the Schocks are able to provide a full-service boatyard, parts department, eight display slips, Mercury and Yamaha outboard certified technicians and years of experience to their customers. Both of their salesmen have been with them for over 25 years, which is unheard of in the marine business or any business today.

Today Schock Boats exclusively sells Grady-Whites boats and are a service center for Boston Whaler.

*******

Some big news on the water this past weekend.

Gale and Jon Pinckney ran away with the Harbor 20 fleet Championships in A Fleet.

The race seemed to be for second place. Walter Johnson aboard Patches and Anne and Kurt Wiese, sailing Ping, tied for third with 36 points, the Wieses taking it in the tie breaker. Mary and Jim Buckingham, sailing Buckshot, stayed 3 points ahead of these two to claim second.

In B fleet, Craig Chamberlain and I won aboard my boat Only Child. It came down to the last race against Mariah and Daniel Geissmann aboard Red Devil. The person with the most heat this weekend was the father-son team of Porter and Chris Killian, sailing in C Fleet. The B's and C's started together, and if the Killians had been sailing in B's, they would have won the regatta.

Porter, 15, was at the helm this last weekend. Not sure what the kid was eating for breakfast, but he was able to find the wind all weekend.

Out in the ocean this last weekend was the 14-mile bank race, with 29 boats participating. Dare won this race, although the big winner was the Richley family's Amante.

This race was the last of the Newport Beach High Point Series and the third year in a row that Amante has taken the trophy.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist for the Daily Pilot.

2015 Harbor 20 Fleet Championships

It’s Monday the day after the 2015 fleet one championships and I have been staring at the results for the last two hours reviewing the regatta over and over again in my mind and waiting to see John Whitney post the results on the class web site.

I did happen to finally achieve my goal and move up a division by winning B fleet, but after it is all said and done the whole regatta was enjoyable to me this year. No, it’s not because I won well maybe a little. The regatta was fun for me because I purposely took a step back and cracked a few jokes between my crew, Craig Chamberlain, and I between and during the racing.

In fact I only stamped my feet once, on the bottom of the boat, the whole weekend while having one of my “Only Child” temper tantrums. I made sure we went by to congratulate the previous race winners and the teams that where racing close to us throughout the regatta. We made sure to talk to happy people like Debra and Peter Haynes, Anne and Ed Kimball, and the brother sister team of Kathryn and Ted Reed. These folks are always going to give you a big hello and tell you how lucky we are just to be taking part in this event.

Another thing I did different this year was attend the Saturday night dinner party and I have to say our fleet captain Nik Froehlich did an outstanding job. I never sat at a table that was laughing so hard during the daily first awards and throughout the night. Froehlich was requesting a story from the winner before he presented their award. You also had to be in attendance to receive the award otherwise it was presented the next place finisher. It was going so well Froehlich decided to break out some more awards and just asked participants to come up and tell their stories from the race course.

One of the better laughs of the night came when Argyle Campbell came up to tell his story and was immediately followed up by Bridget his wife. Argyle quickly returning to the microphone, with the face expression of disbelief, and informing the crowed “ I cannot believe that Bridget came up here, she never has done that before.” Greg Newman was at our table and I have never seen him laugh so hard. Of course he had his daughter Jessica sitting next to him and she was on fire with the jokes all night.  All good times to remember.

As for the racing conditions this year we had a light warm breeze, Saturday, out of the south that made it difficult for the race committee to set up a race course in the harbor. The breeze was staying at about six to eight knots for the most part of the day. The weather mark and finish line was tucked under Bay Island so that was that was tricky part of the race course for us. Later in the day John Fuller, our PRO, extended the leeward gates closer towards the PCH bridge and we made the mistake of sailing to the right side of the course upwind in that last race on Saturday.

Sunday we had rather big rain clouds that pushed the wind around thirty to sixty degrees. The good news was it never rained on us the bad news was the breeze never settled in. With the wind going from South West to West the starting line was moved closer toward the NHYC. During the first race we noticed the breeze out of the south west and that Bob Yates and Phil Thompson sailing Jubilee in A Fleet went left into the mooring and came out smelling like bacon.

By the second race the wind was leaning further west and getting lighter. If you stayed away from the herd and in some type of breeze you would win ask Porter and Chris Killian. The B and C fleet started at the same time this year and the Killian’s were killing it all weekend long sailing in C fleet. In fact they were so in tune, with the wind, they would have won B fleet by over six points.

As always it appeared that finding your way out of a bad start and consistently sailing your way back into the top five was how you would win your division. I just wish there was a way to have a drone flown above the race course and use yellow tracker with wind information. If we could do that I would spend another two hours staring at the results.

It was an engaging season this year and I hope to see you all at our December 4th awards dinner.

 2004 Duffy 21' Classic

Clean boat, Stereo w (4) Speakers, (16) Batteries  Newer windows, Fresh bottom paint wax and polished.  Asking priced $19, 500.

For Sale: Harbor 20 Hull #81 "LIGHTNING" - $23000

" Lightning" Is very clean boat and fast. I have commented to the owner while coaching from the water " You have boat speed to burn." She features a Two sets of sails, rebuilt motor Electric Motor, Rewired Boat, Battery Charger, Fresh Bottom Paint, Cockpit Cover and Jib Sock, Paddle Boom Crutch, Pop-up Mooring Cleats, Tiller Extension Lock, Cockpit Cushions, Cockpit Table. Commissioned to race the Newport Beach One design fleet. White hull with blue and red strips.
Did I say she is FAST!

"The Masthead" Issue # 4 1-23-08 Wheres the toughest spot to navigate in NB?

I introduced myself to the Newport Beach Harbor Department, in my continued effort to promote boating safety. Here is a write up:

I met with Deputy James Davis, who has been with the Orange County Sheriff Department for twenty seven years, with the last six years in Operations/Patrol for the Harbor Patrol Division from Dana Point to Newport Beach.


Q. What part of your job interests you the most?
A. . Rescue. That’s why I’m here. We train hard and when everything goes like clock work, there is no better feeling.


Q. What is some of the most difficult and important training you go through?
A. All of our training efforts are important. Fire fighting has to be at the top of the list. All of Southern California understands how fast fire can spread and we plan on being ready to keep that from happening

Q. What are some of the most common mistakes made by Newport Beach boaters?
A. Reading the weather conditions and matching those conditions to their skill levels. These winter and spring months can produce some very challenging conditions that not every boater is prepared for.
Looking forward and proper training for what the day will bring are some of the most common mistakes..



Q, What is your busiest time of year?
A. . There are actually two busy times of the year for the harbor. The first being winter, due to the Christmas Boat Parade and larger weather systems coming through that make for more rescues. The second being our summer season due primarily to the increased boating traffic..

Q. What area of the bay do boaters seem to have trouble navigating through?
A. All in all Newport Bay is a very friendly area to the boater. Skippers will forget to look at the tidal charts and under estimate the distance from the jetty by the height of the rocks. On a high tide the rocks are lower in the water and the jetty distance is closer than it appears. The Back Bay has some shallow areas that the boater must stay focused on while navigating this area. These areas change with the tide flow so what was navigable one trip may be to shallow for a vessels draft the next.


This will be a three part series with the Harbor Department. So come back next week to hear some great launch ramp stories

"The Masthead" Issue # 5 1-31-08 Harbor Patrol and Deputy James Davis

Welcome back to our three part series with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol and Deputy James Davis.


Q. I noticed a patrol boat in the Back Bay the other day. Why are you patrolling this area?
A. First, we regularly operate in the Back Bay so we can maintain a familiarity with the area. Second, we are there to make sure there are no violations taking place. We are also ensuring that people are not beaching their boats and getting to close with the wildlife. We also check on the dredging gear whenever we transit the area

Q. What are some of the more common violations you encounter?
A. Speeding has to be the most common followed by lifejackets for the kids and proper registration.

Q. Do you have problems with nuisance radio traffic?
A. We are very fortunate, in that nuisance radio traffic is not large problem. The Coast Guard stays on top of that and we back them up when needed. Most people know to do their radio checks on Channel 9.


Q. What are some common courtesies skippers should keep in mind while operating their boats?
A. Not pushing your right of way would be good start . You could be in a crossing situation with another vessel and notice the skipper has been distracted or does not understand the course of a sailboat. If the skipper would just give way to the other vessel the possibility of an accident could be avoided. Sometimes we see this occurring with the people rowing or skippers making sudden course changes without looking. This minor courtesy would increase all boaters safety while on the water.




Q. Do you have any good launch ramp stories?
A. OOOOOYEAH! A skipper was instructed, to “ JUST FLOOR IT” so they did and placed the boat, not on the trailer, but in the bed of the pick up truck. You can’t help but notice the same mistakes occur over and over again. So we focus on drain plugs, tie downs, and safety issues and inform the boaters of our observastions.

Q. While patrolling, do you ever get out of the boat and walk around?
A. Absolutely! In the summer months we will get out at the ferry lanes and the Rhine Channel and interact with the public as much as possible. The public is really our eyes and ears as to what is occurring in the bay and they are the ones we depend on for information about problem we may not normally encounter during normal patrols. We also maintain a presence in the areas where there is a higher likelihood of people operating their boats while under the influence.

Q. How do you stay focused on the “Dog Watches” when it’s cold and not a lot of activity?
A. We call them the “Midnight Shifts” and there is plenty to do. As you know we are on duty 24/7, 365 days a year with several different shifts throughout the day. We focus on noise, water movement and anything out of place. As for the cold weather we do have an enclosed steering station and heat to help us out.

Q. Do you have other tools to help you out at night?
A. Yes, We have night vision and thermal imaging equipment. There are times when a house has been broken into and Newport Police has asked us to come by and with the thermal imaging equipment attempt to locate people who might be hiding to the rear of the residence or on the docks.

This was part two of a three part series with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol. So come back next week to hear about patrol techniques, how to keep sea lions off your boat and what call Deputy Davis does not look forward to responding to

"The Masthead" Issue # 6 2-11-08 Harbor Patrol and Deputy James Davis

Welcome back to the last part of our three part series interviewing Deputy James Davis.


Q. What are some of your different patrol techniques for night and day?
A. Well let’s start with the evening shifts, the areas we patrol at night are no different than during the day. We still patrol off the coast and inside the harbor, but we may concentrate our efforts around those areas that are more heavily trafficked such as the Rhine Cannel and the Turning Basin looking for something out of the ordinary. We frequently check in with security guards, live-aboards, and transient boaters to see if everything is OK . Again these people are our eyes and ears. In the mooring areas we are also looking for anything that is not lit up, again we are looking for anything out of the ordinary, small wakes etc. In the Back Bay we are always looking for wildlife that might be injured, people that have gone aground that don’t have a radio or anyone in need of assistance. In the Federal Channel we have the large charter boats and we are frequently in communication with the skippers to ensure there are no problems. We also spend a lot of time looking off the water; we are looking at the homes and businesses and constantly trying to be aware of fire hazards. During shift change we communicate with the oncoming shift and advise the deputies of what has occurred during the prior shift. Like any good ocean racing team there is lots of information to share between watches.

Q. What’s the best way to keep sea lions off your boats or dock?
A. What I am finding out is a strong physical barrier works well. The key is to stop it before it starts, so don’t wait until the sea lions find your boat or dock take preventative action if you notice sea lions in your area.

Q. What is the best way for the boater to approach a public dock with a number of fishermen on the dock?
A. We have had problems with this issue recently.. In response to the problem the Harbor Patrol in cooperation with the California Department of Fish and Game developed a Task Force to address this issue and it seems to be working. Our suggestion is for a boater to pull up a short distance from the dock and ask the fisherman to make room and give them time to bring their lines in. If this does not work give us a call and we will come by and help you out.

Q. What call would you fear to hear?
A. An airplane down from John Wayne airport. We have trained for this scenario and I would prefer never to use this training.

Q. Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
A. Within the next three years I will be retiring from fulltime work, but I plan on continuing part time. This is how the department keeps the continuity though out the years.


What I will continue to do, if they let me back on their dock, is to report back monthly with Sergeant McCormick for any local notice to mariners and to keep everyone informed.

FOR SALE: 2015 Harbor 20 Hull # 415

                                   2015 # 415 Harbor 20 for sale.   ASKING $ 32,000

Still smells like new, only sailed three times. Featuring new Torqeedo electric motor, Cockpit Cover and Jib Sock, Boom Crutch, Pop-up Mooring Cleats, Bow Chocks, Ensign and Staff, Safety Package, Tiller Extension Lock, C-Foam Cockpit Cushions. Commissioned to race the Newport Beach One design fleet. White hull with blue strips

For Newport Beach prospects this boat has been in the water long enough to sail in the up coming fleet championships in October.

The Harbor Report: Commission discusses Dunes settlement

By Len Bose

September 12, 2015

I attended this month's Harbor Commission meeting Wednesday night and I wanted to update you on what was on the agenda.

First up was Newport Beach Planning Manager Patrick Alford to review the terms of the Newport Dunes Settlement Agreement. This agreement outlines the operational characteristics of the launch ramp for trailered boats. The agreement states that there must be a minimum of 120 parking places for vehicles and their trailers in close vicinity of the launch ramp.

The ramp must be open seven days a week. When I called the marina office they informed me that the ramp is open 24 hours a day. I have heard, from a very reliable source, that there has been times when people have been turned away from the launch ramp during special events at the Dunes.

Alford has received complaints about the launch ramp being closed, and when he contacted the Dunes management, he said he was told that errors where made by employees during those special events.

To my understanding these closures have been very rare. I have only heard about one on a major holiday years ago. But who should you call if you showed up to the ramp and it was closed or if the parking requirements where not at minimum standards and you where turned away? Newport Beach city code officers are responsible for policing the settlement agreement.

From my observation, the launch ramp is run well and exceeded my expectations. There are launch services and operators to help you with many of your boating needs.

Pete Swift, from Swift slips, recently informed me that they have a great working relationship with the Dunes and are launching four times a week there. One thing I did learn recently is that there is a rather deep drop off at the Dunes so if you have to do a deep water launch you should talk to the launch operators.

My gut still tells me our harbor needs more than one trailerable boat launch ramp, preferably city owned. Finding that location is like placing a square peg in a round hole and I know of only two places, both in the upper bay, that there is still space left.

One is in Castaways lot just north of the Pacific Coast Highway bridge. The second is North Star Beach next to the Newport Aquatic Center. Both of these areas are basically impossible to place a launch ramp in because of traffic concerns but unfortunately they're about the only place still open around the harbor.

18th Street Beach Launch

My other concern is we have lost the ability to launch small trailerable sailboats, unless you are a yacht club member, in the lower bay. I have mentioned many times I was introduced to our harbor by being able to launch our Hobie Cat from the 18th Street beach. I have always held a deep belief that we need to keep accessibility to the harbor for the novices new to our sport of sailing and boating.

The good news is, we still have plenty of places to launch kayaks, SUP, and other small boats that do not require trailers. Eighteenth Street is still open, North Star Beach appears to be the best place in town with a ton of free parking, the small beach next to the Lido bridge on the north side is still well used.

The Castaways lot appears to be a desirable location, although there has been a fence placed around the seawall area and posts placed on the south end — I assume to keep trailerable boats from launching.

North Star Beach next to NAC

I laughed to myself when I noticed the two new park benches added there and the portable toilets. But hey, what are you going to do? The place is open and you will start seeing signs being placed on the street welcoming the public into this area soon.

Also on this week's Harbor Commission agenda was the review of objectives for the upcoming years. I will review these objectives once they are all established. If you have any harbor concerns it's time for you to contact your favorite commissioner or council member and let them know what you are thinking.

My concern is the ability to streamline our permits for new docks and develop an eelgrass mitigation plan for new docks.

One last note before I go — we have a new sheriff in town. Lt. Mark Alsobrook, of the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol, recently took the helm has our new harbormaster. At first glance, I like what I see.

He and Deputy Sean Scoles attended the meeting and promised to keep in touch by making a quarterly report to the Harbor Commission. This is huge and long overdue in my opinion.

Sea ya.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist for the Daily Pilot.

The Harbor Report: Swift brothers stay close and fare well in marine business

By Len Bose

August 29, 2015

I am always looking to talk with people who make a difference in our harbor.

People like Carter Ford, Mark Sites, Chuck South, Duffy Duffield, so this week I had a chance to talk with Pete Swift of Swift Slip Dock and Pier builders. When I first contacted Pete, he brought up how close he and his brother Tom are, having worked together over the last 30 years,

"We are best buddies," Swift said.

Pete and Tom Swift grew up together on Balboa Peninsula where they learned to swim and enjoy our harbor together. They are three years apart in age and attended Newport Elementary, Ensign Intermediate and Newport Harbor High School.

They went on to separate colleges, and in 1982 Pete picked up a part-time job building a private dock on harbor Island. It took him about three weeks to complete the job working out of the homeowner's garage.

"Something our crew can complete in an afternoon now," Swift said.

Today, Swift Slips has 20 employees and just purchased a new building in Costa Mesa that will allow them to work indoors. I asked Swift how long it takes to have a new slip built. His response was rather enlightening — with all the different government agencies, it takes about eight to nine months to complete the permit process. To build then install the slip takes about 45 days.

It is my understanding that most customers purchase decks made from PVC material. Washing it only requires a brush and salt water and the job is done. This decking is scratch resistant and long lasting. I was also surprised to hear that the floats under the dock can have up to a 50-year life expectancy.

I learned the docks float better with all the sea life attached to them.

"The heavier the dock, the less is going to rock or tip, it's better for the dock," Swift said.

I was deeply disappointed to learn that our city's new Eelgrass Mitigation Plan is only for dredging and not dock replacement.

"This is a major breakthrough for our tidelands permit holders although it has little to no effect on dock replacement," Swift said. "We are hoping that when someone, with eelgrass under their docks, dredges we can come back the next year and hope that the eelgrass has taken a different pattern."

At this time if a tidelands permit holder would like to replace 20% of the structure of their slip they will be required to follow the Coastal Act, which involves permits from the Coastal Commission, Army Core of Engineers, Fish and Game, two city permits and possibly even the county.

"Customers ask if we know anyone at the different agencies so that they can get through the process faster," Swift said. "I reply we know everyone, that's how we get it done so fast. If we didn't know everyone, it could take well over a year."

"If the restrictions from the different government agencies continue to grow at the pace they are now, permit holders may not be able to build new slips 10 years from now," Swift added.

I then asked Swift what he felt about the condition of our harbor.

"It has never been cleaner," he said. "After the dredging and how the public protects the water quality our harbor has never been cleaner."

We talked about the condition of our harbor seawalls, and Swift said he has not spent much time researching the problem of the sea level rising and feels it is best just to repair the seawalls where they are failing and keep an eye on the topic.

On their off time, Pete likes to SUP around the back bay and stay away from the crowds while Tom sails a 30-foot boat in our different summer series twice a week. I found it quite refreshing to see two local brothers make it good for so long in the marine business.

I am off this weekend for the Long Point Race Week aboard the Santa Cruz 50 Horizon. Please wish us luck and wind.

Sea ya.

LEN BOSE is an experienced boater, yacht broker and boating columnist for the Daily Pilot.

The Harbor Report: This captain has quite a log

Capt. Brian Blair, right, with crew member Jesse Drury offloading their catch of black cod. (Len Bose / January 31, 2014)

By Len Bose

January 31, 2014 | 2:53 p.m.

Last week, I noticed Brian Blair, captain of the 45-foot Ultra Pacific, offloading his catch at the commercial sea wall between the Bluewater Grill and the Cannery restaurant. When I asked to speak to the skipper, Blair quickly introduced himself.

I have to assume many local fishermen and surfers already know the name. Brian Blair was raised in Newport Beach and graduated from Corona del Mar High School. By 19, he had already obtained his captain's license and was running sportfishing charters.

When he was 23, he purchased the Ultra, a 50-foot Delta Marine that quickly became known around the docks as a fishing machine. Blair's reputation grew as one of the hardest-working captains along the California coast.

In 2012, Blair sold the charter company and headed to Millennium Marine in New Brunswick, Canada, where he had the Ultra Pacific built.

"The boat took almost a year to build," he said. "I moved to the boatyard the last three months of the project and then followed the boat to Newport Harbor Shipyard, where we commissioned the boat."

He designed the boat to fit his needs as primarily a light fisherman. The boat is a 45-foot downeast-style commercial fishing vessel with a 16-foot beam and single diesel. It features two auxiliary generators. When I asked if one of the generators can propel the vessel as a get-home engine, Blair said, "No, we rely solely on that single Man Diesel and provide all the proper maintenance to keep her running."

I have to say that the Ultra Pacific is one of the best-looking vessels in our harbor.

I did not know what a light fisherman is, and Blair explained that he goes out looking for squid and then turns on lights to bring the squid to the surface while the other boats are setting their nets. These types of trips can last from one to three weeks at sea.

The squid fisheries are only open between Sunday and Thursday. On the off days, he is hunting for the next spot.

"We are the hunting dog," the captain explained. "We go out and find the best spots and then attract the squid to the surface. For this service, we get a percentage of the catch.

"It's very competitive. We are all fighting to take the biggest percentage of the quota."

Blair said all of his boat's electronics are Furuno, from auto pilot and radar to sonar and radios, and they are all integrated. He talked about his Nobeltec marine navigation software, how it works through the sonar and how he has been charting the ocean floor bottom to improve his catch.

I had to ask who his go-to people are for keeping the Ultra Pacific working and at sea. In other words, who is his pit crew? "I try to keep all my maintenance work local," he said. I like to use Newport Harbor Shipyard for haul outs. For my engine repair work I use Jimmy Vidales from The Boatworks and for my electrical I use Derrick Ropes.” He said.

I then asked how the harbor and ocean have changed over the past 10 years and how these changes have affected him as a commercial fisherman. He said the Marine Life Protection Act has not affected him so much as it has the local lobster fishermen.

"We are already highly regulated by the different government agencies, and our fisheries are some of the healthiest in the world," he said. "To us, it felt more like a land grab."

We then talked about the harbor and the reduction of the commercial sea wall, where I first met him. When the city built the guest dock, it left the harbor commercial marine industry with only 800 feet of working sea wall.

"It gets rather busy in the Rhine Channel during summer between the two restaurants, boats on the public dock, lobster fisherman, mooring maintenance crews and other commercial all trying to fit into that small space," he said.

Most of Blair's catches are sold in San Francisco. Few if any of our harbor's restaurants purchase the fresh fish off the boat. It is my understanding that our local restaurants prefer to outsource their purchases.

To me, that's just wrong.

Also, if there are any TV producers who read this column, there is a good potential reality series following the Ultra Pacific. I know I will be.

Sea ya.

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

The Harbor Report: Getting some tips from the winners

Jake Mayol won this year's Jr. Sabot National Championship. 

By Len Bose

August 15, 2015

I am back from Hawaii and the Transpac race where we finished second in our class, only two minutes out of first place, aboard the Santa Cruz 50 Horizon.

Speaking of first place, my yacht club, The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, has something to be very proud of this season. Not that it is so unusual, but Mark Gaudio has won this year's Naples Sabot Senior Championships sailed in Alamitos Bay back on June 6-7.

According to Gaudio, this could be his 18th Sabot Championship but for the second time in three years, a BCYC member Jake Mayol has won the Junior Naples Sabot National Championships sailed in Alamitos Bay in Long Beach Aug. 3-4.

In an effort to improve my own sailing skills I got on the phone and interviewed both Jake and Gaudio.

Jake is 11 years old and attends the Don Juan Avila Middle School in Aliso Viejo. He has been sailing in the BCYC junior program since he was 6 with his brother Max. Max, 15, has placed third in the Sabot nationals the last two years and is away at the Canadian Youth Championships.

Max Mayo at The Canadian Youth Championships

During the Sabot nationals, Jake sailed a Phoenix-made sabot with the sail number 9333. From my understanding it came down to the last race, on the last leg, for Jake to secure the victory.

"All the pressure going into the last race, having to beat my competition was one of my most difficult moments in my sailing career," Jake said.

After he received his first-place trophy I asked him which past winners' names grabbed his immediate attention? Jake said, "Jim Otis, Mark Gaudio, Brian Thomas, Chuck Driscoll and Charlie Buckingham."

My next question was: "Jake, since you have just won the Sabot Nationals where will you be going next?" It was not Disneyland. He has goals of placing in the top 20 on the U.S. team trials sailed in Optimist sailboats next year and is looking forward to qualifying to the U.S. Olympic team someday.

I asked Jake what advice he would give to the C3 sabot sailor who has aspirations of becoming the next national sabot champion?

"A lot of practice, practice always makes you better, you can never really get to the best of your ability," he said. "You will always have to work at one thing at a time. Don't overload yourself with a bunch of things at once. Work at stepping stones, focus on one thing until you have it down. If you have a bad race try to always forget about it and do your best on the next race."

I asked him how it goes when he sails against his brother. He had a quick laugh before answering: "We try not to get into each other's faces to much. He is my best friend out there, on the race course and it's kind of fun to race together. We will talk about how one of us got ahead of the other and improve our results."

We also had a good laugh when I asked him if he would be sailing in the BCYC Club Championships this summer. He turned and asked his mother if they would be in town and then asked me for the dates. I told him it was more of a joke — I was hoping he would be out of town that weekend.

Gaudio 2015 SR Sabot National Champion

*

Mark Gaudio

If you have ever raced in a championship in our harbor, be it sabots, Lido 14s or Harbor 20s, you have to have beat Mark Gaudio to take home the gold. Gaudio started sailing in our harbor back in 1964 at the age of 7 in the city's program at 18th Street and later at the Orange Coast Yacht Club which turned into BCYC.

Today Gaudio works as an institutional bond trader but in the late afternoons is often seen coaching the BCYC junior program or sometimes giving private lessons.

Gaudio also sails a Phoenix-made sabot, which he has had for the last 20 years, name Private Idaho.

"I have had this boat for so long, I am just comfortable with it," he said. "I have tried them all and it has a looser feel. Just not quite as stiff as the others."

I asked Gaudio the same question about which names have caught his eye on those first-place trophies.

"It has to have been Brian Thomas, Jerry Thompson or Nick Scandone," he said.

Then I asked him what advice he would give a C3 sailor.

"Get out on the water as much as you can and keep in mind most sailors will weigh out, become too big for a sabot," he said. "You can find the right boat for your size, just go sailing."

Trying to learn as much as I could from Gaudio before our Harbor 20 fleet championships coming up in a couple of months, I asked him what a Harbor 20 sailor should keep in mind when starting a championship regatta.

"Know who you have to beat — who are the key players in your fleet. Don't get into any confrontations with them and try to control them and dominate early," he said.

I have no idea what Gaudio means by that answer, so I had better go out and practice more.

Sea ya.

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

Flash back two years ago: The Harbor Report: Picking a young champion's brain

Derek Pickell, the 2013 Junior National Sabot Champion

By Len Bose

August 15, 2013 | 1:56 p.m.

I'm not going to lie — I took advantage of being the Daily Pilot's harbor columnist and called up this year's winner of the Junior Sabot Nationals, Derek Pickell. My intentions were solely personal in an effort to improve my own sailing ability. What I came away with was a number of good ideas on how to win a big regatta and better sail our harbor.

About nine days ago, Derek qualified for gold fleet in this year's Junior Sabot Nationals, sailed in Mission Bay, San Diego. For a complete review of the race, be sure to read Daily Pilot writer David Carrillo Penaloza's article in last Sunday's sports page titled "Pickell captures Sabot crown." This is a rather large title to place on your resume, and it does not come very easily. What I was looking for was how he got the "W" and what advice I could take away from this interview.

I congratulated Derek, who is 15, on his win and asked him which names of past winners got his attention when he picked up the trophy. "Jon Pinckney and Mark Gaudio," he said. "Over my career, I have noticed their names on most of the perpetual trophies I have competed for." Derek has also become the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club's third member to have won this event, which dates back to 1948; the two other BCYC members were Pinckney and Bill Ward.

Derek has had two Phoenix Sabots from the time he was a beginner until now and explained that the most difficult time for him was when he advanced from beginning sabots to C3s. "I was out on the harbor alone, new to the sport and lots of big boats all around me" he explained, with still a touch of anxiety in his voice. I asked him what advice he would give the C3 sailor who is struggling to make it into C2s. "Try not to focus on the other boats," he said. "Stay on the right point of sail and trim your sail properly. Stay away from the giant clumps of boats that gather around marks. You can spend minutes mixed up in those clumps."

Derek went on to tell me that what helped him the most was to listen to his coaches and watch his fellow competitors. He is not a superstitious sailor and does not have a lucky hat or shirt. "I prefer to rely on myself and not become dependent on a object," he said. I laughed at loud at this point, knowing how superstitious I am and that his coach, Gaudio, is the same way.

Trying to obtain as much information from the champ as I could, I asked if he had any secrets to sailing Newport Harbor. "There is always the 'Lido Lift' if the wind is blowing down the channel," he explained with confidence. "Always anticipate that a large boat will go through the course at some point in the race and make sure to show up a half-hour before the race starts and take a look around the harbor."

In a number of recent interviews, Derek was quoted as saying, "In sabot racing, you only want to think and plan 100 feet forward at a time so that you don't overwhelm yourself with tactics and anticipation." The quote continued, but I wanted to get a better understanding of what he meant about 100 feet forward. Derek called it "kind of like in chess — the players that are trying to look seven moves ahead and spend so much time on what might happen in the future. Because sabots are such a small boat, there are so many variables you don't want to get to distracted. I try to stay focused on what is right in front of me and what is going on in my own boat."

Derek sails on the Corona del Mar High School varsity sailing team and plans on sailing in college. I asked him if he has been following the America's Cup. "I will definitely watch it," he said. "What amazes to me is the amount of articles in magazines. It's becoming more intense and thrilling. I will be watching it live."

Another pair of champions was crowned last weekend: Katie and David Levey are BCYC champions. I tied Gaudio for second and lost the tie-breaker and ended up in third. In the Family Championships, the Kerrigan family took home the gold.

Time to head out on my Harbor 20 and work on my boat speed and mark roundings.

Sea ya.

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