Table of Contents:

1. Keith Conrad, Commodore
2. Bill Rumbold, Vice Commodore
3. Bob Bachman, Rear Commodore
4. Float Committee Report
5. From the editor
6. Regatta For Power
7. Borrego Springs Outstation Travel Report
8. Annual Update
9. Previous Towline

December 2001 will be a very busy month as in past years.  Some major events are the Special People's Cruise on December 2nd, Lighted Boat Parade on December 7 & 8th and Christmas Dinner on December 16th. A lot of club members will work very hard to make these events successful and they are hoping that a lot of the membership will turnout. See attached or posted flyers for times and details. Also do not forget to signup for the events.

Christmas Dinner will be on the 16th of December and is hosted by the Bridge, Flag Officers and Executive Committee and our 1st Mates. The doors open at 4 PM and we will enjoy the punch bowl until the dinner bell sounds at 5 PM. There will be entertainment and perhaps a visit from Santa. The cost has been adjusted to $10 per person based on last year's summary.

An update on our outstation situation finds our cause has taken a turn for the worse. Tacoma Yacht Club's decision was reviewed by the State Dept. of Ecology and resulted in some closures to shellfish grounds and public beaches in the Oro Bay area. The states findings and conclusions were based on the number of boats at Oro Bay during the Labor Day weekend. The findings and closures were published and have been challenged by the Nisqually Indian Tribe and their Attorney. The Tribe will not accept any reduction to their share of the shellfish as a result of boats. BYC will work with Tacoma Yacht Club in legal hearings to resolve the issues. It is now obvious that with the State and Indian Tribe involvement, this process will take some time to resolve. During this difficult period, the best thing that our membership can do is observe the Executive Committee's request to limit BYC boats at the outstation to 13. We are not going to give up, but it will take longer than first anticipated.

I would like to offer a special "Thanks" to the Skipperettes and their president, Juanita Armstrong, for the many recent improvements at our clubhouse.  We very much appreciate all of the hard work and efforts of the Skipperettes and are enjoying the improvements. Good job and thanks!

One of the least pleasant functions of the Executive Committee is to ensure that Bremerton Yacht Club's bylaws and regulations are followed. We may not agree with all of them, but we all did agree to follow them as approved or amended by the membership. When a chairman asks you to correct a situation, please do so and avoid involvement by the Executive Committee. Should you receive a written request to correct a situation, please follow all of the instructions in the letter. The condition will not be considered resolved until the corrections are made and proper notification is made to the appropriate chairman for verification. Let's all avoid penalties and hard feeling by following the rules that we all have agreed on.

"Do your share plus a little" and always be positive.
Have a very happy and safe holiday season.

Keith and Shelly
Commodore
Awesome Ospreys

It seems like summer was just yesterday and now we are preparing for the holidays! Where has the time gone? Projects I planned to get done before fall and rainy weather are still waiting to be worked on. Well, I guess they will just have to wait while we are having fun. And speaking of fun - what better time to be active around the club! Clear your calendars and come join all the activities that will be occurring this month.

 Fri. - 30 Nov. - Tree Trimming Party
 Sat - 01 Dec - Kids Christmas Party
 Sun - 02 Dec - Special Peoples Cruise
 Fri./ Sat - 07/08 Dec - Lighted Boat Parade
 Sun - 09 Dec - Sunday Breakfast
 Sun - 16 Dec - Christmas Dinner
 Mon. - 31 Dec - New Years Eve Celebration

Get your boats decorated and join the Special Peoples Cruise and the Lighted Boat Parade. The more boats we have the better we can show the community that we are the Bremerton Yacht Club and proud of it! The Special People look forward to this event every year and it gives me a real warm feeling to be able to do this for them and the community. Try it, I know you will enjoy it also.  The Lighted Boat Parade is two nights of fun. Seeing the crowds of people on shore with their bonfires and the blinking lights and the voices calling across the water to us makes it all worthwhile. Give the community a boost! We all need it this year.

Need points or just want to help out? Call the committee chairman (listed on the bulletin board in the lounge) or myself and I am sure your help will be appreciated.

Lynne and I want to wish you and all of our BYC family (and you all are) a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Take a little extra time to think about all the other people out there; families that are missing a father, mother or loved one as a result of the events of 11 September; the soldiers, sailors and airman that are away from their families and serving their country. Include them in your prayers as you sit down with family and friends. They all need a little looking after.

Bill Rumbold 
Vice Commodore 

The season is upon us, turkeys, trimmings, Christmas trees, and decorations. It is that time of the year when families come together to celebrate and to be thankful. It is the time when people express their gratitude to friends and neighbors for all the little things done for them or said to them throughout the year. And it's a time to be thankful for our families and for all the things that make this the good life. Gerri and I take great pride and pleasure in belonging to BYC and consider each member part of our extended family. And it is with that in mind that we want to wish all of you, our extended family, our warmest and sincerest wishes for a happy and bountiful holiday season.

Starting the season off this year will be the annual Tree Trimming Party on November 30 at 6:00 P.M. Hot mulled cider and other refreshments will be served. It's an hors d'oeuvre social so bring something to share and plan to have fun.

Next is the Special Peoples Cruise on December 2. In years past, I made my contribution on shore side. This year, Gerri and I will be taking a group out on Seagull. We are looking forward to it. I urge all of you to consider helping in some way, but particularly think of taking a boatload of beaming faces out for a ride. You'll never forget the experience. Capt. Mike Leedy is looking for more boats. Think it over and give him a call. 

Lighted Boat Parade is the weekend of December 7 and 8. Seagull will be in it for the first time and will be the Santa boat. This is the big event that gets us favorable notice in our community. Many, many folks plan annual parties around BYC's Christmas sailings. Consider joining the parade. It doesn't take much and you'll have a great time. Hot buttered rum to follow on Friday night. Rum, yum.

The annual Christmas Dinner is next up on December 16. Lots of reasons to come to this event. Lots of good food, friends, and entertainment. It is an opportunity for all of you to see your Bridge, Executive committee, and Flag Officers roll up their sleeves and work. It is also rumored that Santa or somebody will be arriving there to pass out treasured gifts.

This is also the time of the year when we can share the holiday spirit and our good fortune with others by bringing gifts of canned food, dry goods, and paper products to be donated to the Kitsap County Food Bank. The donation box will be placed under the guest registration book in the lounge. Please give generously from your heart so others may have a happy holiday too.

So, there are many things to do at your club this holiday season. Come down, sign up, and enjoy the festivities with your friends and our extended family.

Bob Bachman
Rear Commodore

Progress is being made to upgrade the electrical service panels at the end of "B" and "C" strings.  This will allow us to provide 30 Amp service to our guest moorage and a limited number of houses on Poverty Row.  If you are on the west end of the transformers on "B" and "C" strings, please be prepared for intermittent power losses while we complete this project. 

New piling hoops are being ordered to replace those on the east and southeast sections of "C" string.

I'm happy to report that all but one member is current in displaying their boat registration decals and that this one exception was an oversight, which is currently being corrected.

The floats are looking great!  I thank all our members for taking the necessary steps to keep their boats, houses, and the walkways adjacent to them in good order and in compliance with our float regulations and by-laws.

From time to time we may have to address non-compliance issues.  We will strive to do so amiably.  If the float committee addresses you on any such issues, please work with us and we'll do everything we can to work with you.  Communication is key, so don't hesitate to call.

Once again, this month we are advertising the availability of boathouse spaces that come with contingencies.  One remains a "pending a sale of shed", and we now have some new ones that are "pending trade".

I offer these definitions for your information.  Please feel free to contact me directly for additional clarification.

Pending Sale of Shed (PSOS)

As a courtesy to the current renter or assignee of a "pending sale of shed" space, the float committee is advertising it's availability, but only if the owner has made arrangements to sell the boathouse that currently occupies this space.  If the boathouse has not been sold, there will be no assignment.

If you bid on this space it does not necessarily mean that you have to buy the boathouse, just that the boathouse has to be sold before the present occupant will release the space.  The boathouse could potentially be sold to another member to be moved to a different location, or it could be sold outside the club all together.

Likewise, if you bid on this space you should not assume that the option to purchase the boathouse comes with the space.

If you were interested in the space and wish to purchase the boathouse, I encourage you to reach a purchase agreement with the owner in advance of the bidding and tentative assignment.  You could make your agreement contingent on you receiving the award so that the seller could enter into any number of such agreements, only one of which would be binding.

The award will be made the night of the next float committee meeting.  Only the member with the highest number of points will be eligible for the assignment.

Pending Trade

This month we have several members who wish to trade moorage spaces with other members.  In such cases I will advertise the availability of their slips as "pending trade".  

Their slips will be advertised as available in accordance with Float Regulations A.3., A.4., and A.5., but the assignment will only be made pending the present renter or assignee's satisfaction with the outcome of the bidding and/or assignment (typically a trade with another specific member).

All members involved in these transactions must submit a float request. The award will be made the night of the next float committee meeting.  Only the member with the highest number of points will be eligible for assignment of the slip requested.

Please remember that awards will be made for spaces advertised in this Towline at the next float committee meeting, but not less than 10 days after such advertisement.  If you want an advertised slip, please have your application submitted to the float committee ASAP.  Both approved point slips and moorage applications may be deposited in the locked Float Committee box located in the club lounge.   

The date of the next Float Committee meeting will be December 13th at 7:00 PM.

Berths awarded at the November 13th meeting:

#439 Open, Mike Dunn,   7.2 pts.
#440 Open, Ken Krieder, 46.5 pts.
#364 Open, Jill Bishop,   0.7 pts.

Slips available for bid:

#248 Open 15X36
Ex-Ken Krieder
#238 Open 10X36
Ex-Mike Dunn
#326 House 19X50
(Pending Sale of Shed) McKenzie
House currently in #312

Proposed Trades:

#124 (17.5X36 House) Holt for
#467 (15X36 Open) Hepworth

#307 (19X50 House) Longenecker
for #309 (19X55 House) Morken

#212 (20X50 Cover) Wilhelm for
#210 (20X50 Cover) Armstrong

#429 (21X60 House) Thomas for
#404 (20X55 House) Picinich

The dimensions shown for available club cover and open slips are the minimums used for billing purposes.  Please refer to float regulation A.30 for actual maximum sizes allowed.

The total length of any vessel occupying an "open" slip is to include all its gear and any attached equipment including anchors, bow pulpits, swim platforms, and dingies.  It is the responsibility of the owner/member to be certain their vessel will fit the requested or assigned space. 

John Rosendale
Chairman, Float Committee

VC Bill Rumbold is still seeking a Towline Editor for next year.

Thank you P/C Miller and Roxanne, P/C Longenecker and Sue, Capt. Rick and Maralee Ormistron, and Denise Rosendale for your help in getting Towlines out!  Also, thank you Capt. Ken Kreider for programming the copier and making our job easier!

Captain Mike Thomas
Towline Editor

Sunday, Nov. 18, saw the last log race for 2001, the Past Commodores' Cup.  'Twas a great day for boating with lots of sunshine and no wind.  11 contestants tested their navigation skills on nine boats (I'll tell you how that works, sometime.)  Within this race crowd, the hot runners this time were: The winning team of Capt. Jack Hensley and Navigator Kathy Slater on JUBILEE with 1.368%, followed by Capt. Chuck Silvernail on SOLMAR with a 1.661% for second place with third place being earned by Capt. Ray Gorski, also on SOLMAR, with a 2.010%.  Great potluck followed!  Thanks to you all for coming out.  

Congratulations to the team of Capt. Jack Hensley and Navigator Kathy Slater for finishing third overall in the North Sound Section of IPBA.  Quite an accomplishment as this section is the largest in North America.  Congratulations also to Capt. Ray Gorski for making the National Log Racing 500 Club.  Membership in this group is limited to only those racers who score less than 0.500% (raw score) in a sanctioned contest; Ray had 0.4550% at last year's QCYC race.  Also doing well in the overall IPBA standings were Capt. Ray Gorski at 8th Overall, P/C Mike Henry at 15th Overall, Capt. John Rosendale at 16th Overall and Capt. Owen Ritter at 20th Overall.  These BYC racers did very well considering nearly 150 raced this year.

The 2002 season starts with the QCYC contest spanning the weekend of Jan 11-13 followed by the in-house BYC Thompson Trophy race on Sunday, Jan 20.  Both of these are warmer-uppers for Heavy Weather.  

The International Power Boat Association (IPBA) is looking for boats to be used during the 2002 National Championships being held this year in Vancouver, B.C. during the period Aug. 7 - 11. (No, your boat is never underway without you.)  Looking for 35'- 50' boats in the 8 - 10 knot range.  Great way to spend a few days in Vancouver, experience Canadian hospitality and see how the other association winners work their race magic.  Please see me for details.

Happy Holidays and may Santa bring you a bagful of log racing luck for the coming year.

P/C Mike Henry
Regatta Chair for Power
.

The annual is at the printers and we should your copy ready for you to pick up in the very near future.

I'd like to thank my hard working, dedicated committee: Capt. Charlie Billings, Capt. Dave Cleator, Commodore Keith Conrad,  Capt. Jim Griffith, Capt. Bret Halffman, Capt. Rod Loudin, Capt. Randy Trott, and Capt. Dave Uebele.  Thanks guys, for your extra hard work. You did a great job.

Capt. Mike Thomas,
Annual Chairman

Hello to all BYC'ers from a delightful site for a "warm" outstation location.  We are currently in Palacios Texas, a small town south of Galveston.  The most action we see on this 80 degree day is occasional shrimp boats going in or out, or one of our neighbors catching a fish.  I'm considering going out to show them how we do it in the great NW!  Speaking of the NW, we just missed Bud & Ellen Zimmerman at the Beaumont Texas Elks by 3 days.

As we near the end of our trek in our Motor home "Tortuga", it is fun to look back at where we have been.  We left our daughter's house in Colville on Labor Day. We saw the fire get out of control in Glacier National Park; we watched the Huskies beat Michigan in northern Michigan; we saw the huge locks at Sault St Marie before we entered into Canada; we lost the joy of sight-seeing as we listened to the reports of the tragic events of 9/11, as we were motoring down to see Niagara Falls; spent time seeing the unique sights of the city of Quebec; greatly enjoyed Prince Edwards Island (had lobster 3 out of 4 nights!); and revived our Scottish heritage in Nova Scotia. (Enough for one sentence!).

The fall colors were gorgeous: they followed us down from the Maritime Provinces, through New England, the Appalachians, and even into Alabama. We  followed the Freedom Trail in Boston, saw the mansions in Newport RI, but by-passed NY City as too sad to see.  We enjoyed revisiting the Penn. Dutch country near where we lived for 2-years, courtesy of  "Uncle" - not much change in all those years. Toured the battlegrounds at Gettysburg; too many Americans suffered a brutal death there.  Then on to Wash DC, where I visited so frequently during my working life.

We parked outside a college friend's home near DC.  He had opted to stay there after retiring from the Navy (an ex P-3 driver).  He now enjoys occasionally working as a tour guide; he proved to be very good.  One of the things he showed us was the Pentagon.  His old office, which I had been in, no longer exists.  One fortunate thing, most of those who would normally have been there, had been moved over to the annex so that section could be refurbished.  Only a few had moved back.  He also took us to the FDR & Korean monuments.  The FDR monument, which has 4 areas representing each of his terms during troublesome times, was especially relevant to our current tragic events.

From DC, we preceded south enjoying southern hospitality and food.  The scenery from the Blue Ridge and the Smokies really is spectacular.  At least one of the roads down from the ridge is quit steep - enough to boil our brake fluid.  Fortunately, we got to the bottom and stopped before they completely failed.  We proceeded to the Gulf coast in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, where we have enjoyed the beaches and bayous - oh to have our ski boat, or even our dingy!  We will stay near here for a week or so, then on to our final destination at Borrego Springs.

We have missed seeing all our friends at BYC, and participating in all the great events.  We also miss not being able to watch the Huskies first hand - however the dish makes that easier.  We can even keep track of local events - like who the new mayor is!  Again, Hi to all of our good friends, and have a wonderful holiday season!        

 Captain Bill & Clair Burwell

For the November Towline on the web, click here.
Last update: 27 November 2001