From the Commodore

Hello Everyone:

This is Commodore's May Blog Number Two - the sequel . . . 

July Cruise-out Cancelled:  My previous May blog showed Little Venice Island as our 4th of July cruise-out.  This event was cancelled due to a wedding on the island. While this is disappointing, things usually work out for the best. There is no club-sponsored event in July.  Have fun at Mandeville, Stockton, on the docks, or where ever you decide to go!

General Meeting information so that you can plan ahead:  We are partnering again with Driftwood Yacht Club.  From September through December, we have booked one Friday event per month.  We have agreed to have dinner at Driftwood YC and the bar will be open for us.  In exchange, there is no rental fee and we can use the facility as if it is our own club.  

So we are taking advantage of Driftwood's great facilities.  Our General Regular Annual Meeting and Change of Watch Meeting will occur on FRIDAYS this year.  I want to give you plenty of time to plan ahead if you need to take some time off.  I am hoping that the change from Saturday afternoon to Friday early evening will cause you minimal inconvenience.

October General Regular Annual Meeting/Elections - Friday, October 19, 2012 

Change of Watch/Holiday Party - Friday, December 7, 2012 

Speaking of Elections: Staff Commodore Kim Sechler has been tasked with early recruitment of a slate of officers for 2013 so that we have elections on-time in October.  Contact Kim if you would like to help her on the nominating committee.  And please offer to serve on your club's Board in 2013.  We need YOU to keep our club alive and vibrant.

Additional Event:  We have an opportunity to support Make-A-Wish by participating in Driftwood YC's bingo fundraiser on June 16, 2012.  I will e-mail specific information to you in the next week or so.  One of the Board goals this year is to continue with our community service efforts.  We will support Make-A-Wish by participating with Driftwood YC and will donate to BIMAC in December.

Best Regards,

Colette

Good, sound safety information!

SAFETY FIRST AND FOREMOST

By Diane Shoff Co-Safety Officer (and recent inductee into the Caliente Isle Precision Diving Team)

While many of us feel that safety while under way, leaving or approaching a dock, or anchoring out are where we should be vigilant, there is another place an accident can happen more frequently.  How many times do you walk along the dock during the course of a day or a weekend? Are you so comfortable with walking along the docks that you pay little or no attention to the hazards that are inherent at any marina? While we all think it is funny if someone accidentally falls into the water, many of these incidents can be 

prevented if we use common sense and pay attention to potential hazards.

Most marinas have wooden docks, and those boards have nails or screws which can protrude above the dock face. Tripping on these screws or catching a sandal is a common place event and can be prevented by paying attention to where you are going and stepping with care. Docks seem to be in constant need of repair and those repairs may not always be completed in a timely manner. Tools, open frames, nails and screws are just a few of the maintenance related hazards that may be encountered while walking along a dock. Keep the areas around your boat clutter free (note to self), to reduce your risk. At visiting docks, you are unfamiliar with the surroundings, and electrical cords can be strung haphazardly and can become a danger. Pay attention and you just may prevent a slip, trip, or fall.

We all know that water and electricity is a recipe for disaster, but how many power cords, extension cords, loose wires, and outlets play a part in a slip, trip, or fall? Here again, paying attention to ones surroundings can prevent many accidents from occurring. Making sure your power cords are in good shape and not frayed or cracked can prevent a fire which we all know to be one of the worst hazards for any marina. If you notice a frayed, discolored, or hot power cord, notify the responsible party and the marina management immediately. You just may save a marina, and your boat, from disaster.  Do not swim near docks where electricity or boat generators are present or are running.  Stray current, can be deadly and can kill without warning. A running generator can also produce carbon monoxide and if you are swimming near the fumes, you could be overcome and drown without warning. Running generators pose a problem to more than just swimmers. If your boat has a carbon monoxide detector, test it frequently, and do not disable it for any reason while a gas generator is running. If your boat is not equipped with a CO detector, get one and have it installed. It may just save your life.

From the Commodore

Greetings Caliente Members and Friends:

You should have received the April Blog via e-mail as there was too much information and formatting for a blog.  Please contact me if you did not receive it and need a copy e-mailed to you.  A few things from the April blog are:

• Do you want a new CIYC burgee?  Please let me know ASAP and I will place an order.  The cost to you will be about $20 + tax and handling.

• Bring in a new membership and receive a $25 West Marine gift certificate.

• Janice needs gift baskets for raffle items, or any raffle items you may have at home. 

• Consider supporting the RBOC recommendation to not eliminate the Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) by signing a letter of opposition at:  http://www.rboc.org/pdfdocuments/RBOCSaveCalBoating-CalltoArms.pdf

April was another fun-filled month of cruising.  Recognition and thanks go out to Kurt and Marsha Hayes for organizing CIYC’s Opening Day Celebration at the Rusty Porthole on April 13-15^th.  We had a great time.  The Hayes and Lymans came up with a Delta Trivia contest that was a lot of fun.  We had 50 for Saturday night dinner – a great turn-out.  The food was wonderful – I heard a lot of compliments!

Our own Reverend Jack DiBartolo composed a prayer for the blessing of our fleet and also prepared a certificate for each boat owner documenting  official recognition of boating in the delta for each vessel.  Thanks for the extra effort Jack!!

By the time you read this, the Stockton Asparagus Festival cruise-out orchestrated by Ted and Jo Anne Lyman will have already occurred.  Stay tuned for a blog from them.  I can’t wait to hear about all of the Asparagus concoctions they encountered, such as asparagus toothpaste, gum or ice cream  . . .

Trivia Question:  Who couldn’t wait to go on the Asparagus Festival even though he loathes asparagus???

Upcoming Events:

• Willow Berm Cruise-out May 25-28

• Potential Event  – Attend Driftwood YC Bingo Make-A Wish Fundraiser on June 16^th – more info may follow if there is interest in participating

• June 22-24 – Co-Founders’ Day at Riverview Yacht Club – drive or cruise in – June 22-24.  Jo Daniels is cooking and needs some assistance.  Please call her to volunteer to help out.

• Little Venice Isle – July 2-8. 

Asparagus Cruise-Out Notes

From the Membership Director

I finally received the PICYA yearbooks for 2012.  They are great to have on your boat so when you see a boat with a burgie flying you can look it up in the directory and find out what club they belong to.  If you can read the name on the boat you can even find out their names.  We are selling them for a little over cost (but not much) at $10 each.  If you would like to purchase one please let me know at ggriffsUSA@aol.com  or 415-328-0375.

Last weekend was our cruise-out to the Rusty Porthole for our Opening Day.  While Red and I didn’t cruise over we did hang out with everyone all day Saturday and stayed for a fantastic dinner.  It is now such a treat to see everyone when we get together. 

Around 11:00 Jack blessed the fleet.  It was a great blessing and very touching.  He wrote a poem for the blessing:

Boaters we are and shall always be.

It’s in our blood, a way of life you see,

We cruise the waters of the Delta and Bay,

Enjoying life’s journey along the way.

Whether on the hook or at the dock,

Our passion for boating never stops.

Our home ports are many but let it be known,

We are a family of friends with a bond like no other.

We are Caliente Isle Yacht Club for now and forever.

Thank you Jack.  It couldn’t be more true.

Saturday afternoon Marsha and Curt led a trivia contest with lots of questions about the Delta and many about CIYC.  It was not only fun but I think we all learned one or two facts.  The weather turned out to be beautiful and sitting out on the dock with good friends was so nice.

If you know anyone who is an avid boater and could use a good yacht club to join please let me know or download a membership app from the website.  We need to spread our enthusiasm.  

Windmill Cove Cruise Report

Windmill Cove Cruise Report:

“…and then there were four”

By the Saturday before our Friday departure, sixteen boats were signed up. Clearly there were plenty of signs of pent up demand to get back on the water even in winter. Then the clouds and forecast appeared.  A few dropped out.  Then the rain started.  A few more bailed. Then the Chronicle weather forecast showed sideways rain and lighting.  By departure day we were a fine bunch of four hearty cruisers.  To be clear, we had a mechanical reason or two for dropping out.  But many who worried about the rain drove in to Windmill Cove for the St. Patrick’s Day party.  Others stayed close to their home berths to celebrate.  It did rain hard on both Friday and Saturday nights with scattered sprinkles on Friday afternoon but was mostly pleasant during the days and fine for dock talk and walks.

The entertainment started on Friday when Gary Page dropped a very expensive electrical pig tail in the drink. He tried a net. No good. He started thinking about swimming but was told that the water was 59 degrees.  No go.  Finally, he snagged the thing with the help of a rake and his boat hook to applause all around.

A large number of CIYCers arrived throughout Saturday afternoon and all enjoyed an indoor party with afternoon DJ entertainment.  A better show than Gary was put on by a dozen visiting offshore race boats from a club called the Delta Lunch Bunch.  These were gear heads more than gold chain types.  Lots of huge engines, very loud pipes and displays of speed. We watched off the Windmill Cove deck as boats went by, one at 120 mph.  They were having fun in their way ($$$$) as we had fun in our way (zzzz!)

After dinner, some dancing and lots of pool games, our party broke up and folks went their way.  We got underway at mid-day on Sunday for a nice ride back to home harbors in sun and broken clouds. 

 We have organized one more cruise before we pass the baton on to other cruise directors.  This will be to the Stockton Asparagus Festival on April 27-29.  The Stockton Downtown Marina folks are giving us essentially the entire Dock B with slips for club use. The Warehouse with a couple of bars and restaurants will be within 100 yards or so. Marina staff promises a golf cart to transport any who don’t want to walk to the event site.

Watch for more info on other upcoming events and then as this event comes closer we will send more info.

Cruise Directors January-April 2012

Ted and JoAnne Lyman