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From the Poop Deck |
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Ahoy mates. Happy Holidays, I trust that Thanksgiving was a treat for us all. |
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Our boats are all put to bed for that long winter sleep. Tarps are tightly drawn to keep out winters' elements. The season for sail is at the end of its time. |
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Just before getting into the mini-van, I gave Spacehunter a pat on the hull and whispered, “See you soon”. |
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I just read where Harsens Island is raising funds to battle what residents are calling an “invading plant species” threatening and overtaking other native plant species. To clarify, the plant is growing rampant throughout the entire St. Clair Flats Basin. The plant even has a formidable name; it is called “Phragmites”. |
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Yep, these common reed plants from the family of grasses are our new invaders to keep at bay. Now why all of a sudden are these the bad guys? Why would these reeds, that I have seen growing in the shallow waters of the basin flats and the islands for decades, be a threat? I just don’t know. Not only are these reeds used for the making of baskets and mats, they’ve been used to make food and medicine. Chances are that if you should have a thatched roof on your house, it’s made of Phragmites. Best of all, these plants are nature’s “bioremediates”. They clean waters containing waste material, including heavy metals and sewage. |
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Come on, we can’t expect those pesky Zebra mussels to do it all. I think that having natural cleaners for both the plant and animal kingdoms is the way to go. Spread it out, why put the burden on just one species. The Flats, well that is like the perfect location. |
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More stuff: If you’re interested in becoming a lighthouse keeper next year, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum (located north of Northport) is accepting applications to become a keeper from April to November 2005. Keepers live in an apartment in the lighthouse for one or two weeks. There’s a program fee per week of residence: $170 for members ($195 non-members). Primary responsibilities are to greet visitors and provide historical information about the museum, assist in the gift shop and help with maintenance of buildings and grounds. For information, application and a handbook, call 231/386-7195 or visit grandtraverse-lighthouse.com. It could be a fun way to spend a couple vacation weeks and you get to pay to work! |
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That’s it for now. |
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Casting off all lines. Color me gone. |
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San Francisco or Bust(ed boat)! |
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James Glasson |
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First Mate, Lady Godiva, Catalina 30 MrkII, 4917 |
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It was one of those occasions that just make you smile. The day had finally arrived. Jack, my father-in- law, sailing partner and friend and I were on our way to the Catalina 30 National Regatta hosted by the Bridgeview Yacht Club in San Francisco. The event was, in a sense, a homecoming for the Catalina 30 National organization and the boat’s manufacturer. The BYC is host to fleet number one in the C30 organization and 2004 was the 30th anniversary of the Catalina 30, one of the most successful production boats ever made. For us this was a trip of many firsts: first time traveling to a “foreign” body of water for a regatta, first time chartering a boat and my first time in San Francisco. |
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The flight arrived without incident and we quickly got the nickel tour from a local, not too distant relative who then dropped us at the hotel. We had flown in a few days early to do some sight seeing, prep the boat and do some casual sailing on the bay. |
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We were staying one block off Fisherman’s Wharf and thought there was no better place at the moment to take a walk and grab a late lunch. Alioto’s was a good choice. After lunch we went to check out the chartered boat. Its berth is in the public docks in the very shadow of the famed St. Francis Yacht Club and the Golden Gate Bridge. |
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At the dock we did a quick survey of the boat. It came with a local lore of being fast but not necessarily pretty. Her current owner had been transferred out of town for work and while gone, the boat was left to elements. Everything was there, she just looked tired. Mechanically, salt water does interesting things to tracks, jam cleats and blocks. Those would need to be addressed. The bottom was smooth but was growing a host of plant life. A diver was already lined up to take care of that later in the week. Just prior to leaving for California we got news from the owner that the engine, a late model gas powered Atomic 4, had been misbehaving. It was recently rebuilt. We were |
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Editor’s note: |
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The following story, written by James Glasson, was submitted by club member Jack Gray. Jack and James participated in the 2004 C30 Nationals on San Francisco Bay. This story leads up to the race. We will post a race account on the CRCA web site. |
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Continued on page 5 |