This year we have decided to have a May Meeting at the Maritime Museum,as the venue is reserved and we have the opportunity to have Grahame Shannon as a speaker. Yacht designer, software developer and seasoned sailor, Grahame Shannon will be presenting the current and future state of onboard sailing instrumentation. Grahame Shannon has designed hundreds of yachts, both power and sail, ranging in size from dinghies to mega yachts over 130 feet long. Some of his more noted efforts include the Walker Bay dinghy, being part of the America3 design team working on the yacht Mighty Mary, Amazon Yachts and the Tom Thumb 24. Grahame is also an accomplished software developer, in the 80's Grahame designed and built AutoShip; within 5 years AutoShip became the world's leading PC-based hull design software with clients from over 40 countries.

These days Grahame is semi retired but far from inactive. His new passion is software and sailing instrumentation. Grahame and his company, Avia Design Group, have been developing some very sophisticated software based sailing instrumentation, focused on the racing sailor.

Please join us on Thursday May 20th, 7:30 PM at the Maritime Museum, where Grahame will be discussing the past, current and future state of marine electronics. He will discuss what the major companies are doing and what things you should look for in the near future. He will also enlighten you on what types of systems you might want to consider to compliment your sailing experience and he will explain the philosophy of his new developments and make some predictions as to the future of marine electronics.

Our monthly meeting will be held at 7:30PM at the Maritime Museum (South Entrance) Thursday Februay 18th. Guest are welcome.

We are pleased to have John Horton, a marine artist who is well known to local sailors as Captain of the British Columbia Squadron of the Royal Naval Sailing Association.

Immerse yourself in an exciting power point presentation by John Horton describing Captain George Vancouver's exploration of the west coast of North America - the longest voyage of discovery, ever,under sail!

Included in the presentation are images of over 25 paintings produced by Horton to recreate this extraordinary voyage; historic and current maps;and photographs of sketches made by officers aboard Captain Vancouver ships. Not only is this an interesting historical talk, but it is also a creative and geographic delight as we explore the coast of Washington State, British Columbia and Alaska through the eyes of this talented and well known artist.

By Frank Luba, The Province, July 20

VANCOUVER -- The general manager of the Jericho Sailing Centre in Vancouver is calling for changes to local marine regulations after a woman was injured when a powerboat slammed into her sailboat in English Bay.

A 25-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man from the University of B.C. Sailing Club were practising sailing drills around 7:40 p.m. Sunday about 200 metres off the Jericho centre. They were in a 4.2 metre Flying Junior, one of four boats participating in a sailing lesson.

The powerboat, which was driven by a 39-year-old Ontario resident, came at them at high speed. Both sailors jumped into the water before the powerboat hit their sailboat and the woman received a severe cut to her right foot in the incident. She was still in hospital Monday, according to Vancouver police spokesman Const. Lindsey Houghton.

The powerboat driver was arrested at the scene for dangerous operation of a motor vessel but released on a promise to appear.

Jericho general manager Mike Cotter has been petitioning the Vancouver harbour master and the parks board "for years" to have powerboats banned from the area around the city-run sailing centre, where there are 160,000 launches a year of sailboats, kayaks and other craft. Among those making launches were 8,000 beginners.

"For these people to bring this speedboat at speed into this area, it would be akin to you driving your high-powered sports car through a busy playing field," Cotter said Monday. "It absolutely makes no sense at all."

There were several other people in the six-metre powerboat and, according to Cotter, they were closely followed by another similar powerboat.

"They had to be the stupidest people to ever get behind the helm of a powerboat," he said.

I guess I was asleep at the wheel, but there seems to be a kafuffle brewing in Howe Sound. It seems the Artificial Reef Society is seeking a home for their latest acquisition, the HMCS Annapolis and are currently looking at Halkett Bay for her final resting place as an artificial reef (this after an attempt to sink her near Paisley Island).

The local residents and cottagers in Halkett have started a website at savehalkett.com that discusses the plans and offers feedback links to the powers-that-be.

Do members think that TCYC should have a stance on this issue and if so, should we be for or against it? Please weigh in with your opinions!

This is actually a very handy document.

Besides some useful rules/facts/info for newbies, like speed local limits etc, it also contains links to safety and licensing requirements for out boats, probably helping clarify a lot of urban myths about what we 're required to have and do..

Kudos to the Vancouver Police Department's Marine Unit for a great job on this one. Click the "download" link, below.

Have you been thinking of getting one of these puppies?

(That's from Paul's boat, Ocean Rigging, same one I am getting :-)

Anyway, careful: BC Sailing is proposing to change the way they are measured.

• A 13" sprit will cost you 6 seconds
• A 25" sprit will cost you 9 seconds
• etc etc

Details & Comments, here

Click the download button below, for the actual BC Sailing document

My obsessive diatribes on scoring notwithstanding, let's find out what the "average racer" thinks. That means you.

VARC Scoring Poll

Who Should be the Season's VARC Champion?
• The Fastest Boat
• The Boat with the Most Points
• The Boat with the Most Wins

Vote Here >>

Strange as it sounds, those three are not the same. Far from it in fact.. because different boats do different races.

As the TCYC blog is usually perceived to express the views of the club as a whole, as opposed to the personal views of individual members, we have decided to avoid any further confusion by limiting the distribution of this (highly controversial!) analysis to our public forum.

We invite you to participate and add your own comments to it

- Niko Lourotos & Ian Lloyd, TCYC

Our speaker for this Thursday will be Steve MacDonald from Marine Parks Forever.

The British Columbia Marine Parks Forever Society was formed as a vehicle to raise seed money to assist in the purchase of suitable properties for use as marine parks. The Society has been in existence since 1989. The original plan was to raise these funds by asking recreational boaters to donate $10 a year. They now also receive money from the general public through boat shows, private donation and estate legacies etc.

They entire donation is applied to the purchase of parks. As population increases and urban areas expand, land is lost to the public. The Society plays an active role in ensuring more marine parkland is available by providing technical input and seed money to encourage governing bodies to purchase suitable properties for marine parks.

• Before the BC Marine Parks Society was created, the Council played a key role in acquiring the prestigious "Pirates Cove Marine Park" on DeCourcy Island.
• Later, Wallace Island was acquired after it was put on the market in 1989.

Want to hear more?
We 'll see you this Thursday, at 7:00PM, in the Maritime Museum.

The Vancouver Parks Board is trying to figure out what to do with the old seaplane wharf, between Jericho Sailing Centre and Royal Van. You know, the one right here:

View Larger Map

They're calling it the Jericho Marginal Wharf and apparently it is in such poor shape that they must start working on it quickly, or it will become dangerous. You can see all their proposed ideas of how to re-develop this wharf, right here: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/info/planning/jerichomarginalwharf/

Surprisingly, none of the suggested development options includes a marina. That's really strange, since..

• The Parks Board is painfully aware of the current moorage crisis. We 've been complaining about it for years, Pacific Yachting has been publishing stories about it and of course they are already operating Burrard and Civic Marinas..
• The location is ideal! It would make easily the most desirable marina in English Bay and even neatly "enclose" Jericho beach between itself and RoyalVan, where a few mooring buoys would make an amazing overnighting spot for visiting sailboats - so it would enhance both local boating and Vancouver tourism
• It would generate tremendous revenues for the Parks Board. A modern marina at that location could easily charge $14-$16 per foot; and a proper shore facility (restaurant, "clubhouse") would compliment that very nicely
• Traffic/parking would not cause problems for the local residents. The facility is accessed by its own road, next to Jericho Sailing Centre
• The environmental impact would be minimal, especially if the facility was for sailboat-use-only, which is also not an issue: power-boats can easily motor out of False Creek, Coal Harbour and elsewhere - they'd rather pay less for moorage
• Tremendous synergies with Jericho Sailing would be possible, creating unique opportunities for community programs, Olympic programs etc. Perhaps BC Sailing has something to say about that?

The good news is that the Parks Board is seeking feedback on their ideas. They are running an online survey here: www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/feedback/jerichowharf.shtml. Naturally, there is no "Do you have a better idea" option on the survey (how could we, possibly? haha ) but there is space for comments. So you can rank all their ideas "Least Preferred" and free-form the Marina idea in the "Comments & Suggestions" box.

This is a very real, once in a lifetime opportunity for sailing in Vacouver. Go answer the survey and Ask for a Marina, instead!

Please, forward this story to as many people as possible, using the "Send" link below..

So, you get twofootitis, go to your buddy the broker and order a brand new european whatever.

The boat is a bit late and shows up without sails but what the hey, you are too excited.

You take the guys and go racing, but on the delivery trip your mast breaks in 14kts of wind. Now you 're pissed off and tell your friend the broker you want your money back.

He tells you the boat was sold 'as-is' and to go play with your mast stump, so you decide to sue, suddenly remembering all sorts of other issues with the boat, including such gems as..

1. The keel was rough and not properly primed or painted;
2. Decorating stripes were rough and improperly applied;
3. Upon initial delivery, the straps to tied down the deck were not available so that the vessel could not be sailed;
4. The main halyard sheaves broke making it impossible to change the head-sails;
5. The headfoil broke making it impossible to change the headsails;
6. There was no masthead light, hence inadequate running lights;
7. Floor boards were warped and spring;
8. The boat was constantly stained by its engine exhaust;
9. The mainsail fit improperly and it would come loose from the mast;
10. A large headsail ripped within one half hour of use;
11. Wiring was loose throughout the boat including in the engine compart-ment;
12. Bunks broke during the first use;
13. Stove was not converted for use with liquid propane gas thus making it un-usable;
14. Toilet seat broke;
15. Certain halyards were missing;
16. Numerous parts and fittings were not received with the boat;
17. The batteries were improperly installed causing a drain of voltage;
18. The Windex instrument was smashed;
19. The rudder pins were bent;
20. A tiller fitting broke immediately upon use;
21. Teak trim in the cockpit came loose and had to be re-glued;
22. The boat contained no cockpit bilge pump thus violating fundamental safety standards;
23. Certain electronic equipment failed including the depth sounder and log;

Do you win your case??. Does the judge feel your pain?
Click the download link below, for the full case file.

Sean Smith from SLYC (and my counterpart in the FCBC) has been working on getting more info on this whole "no more ESSO fuel stations in Vancouver" rumor. He finally got a n official reply the other day

Dear Mr. Smith,

Thank you for your email regarding the closure of ESSO marine services in False Creek.

Imperial Oil has been a significant part of BC's marine service network for many decades and is proud to have serviced our customers over the years.

As you may know, following a recent detailed strategic business assessment of this aspect of our business, it was determined that marine services no longer fit within our core business.
Regrettably, this means marine services at False Creek will no longer be offered by ESSO. This, however, does not preclude any other interested person or organization from opening a marine business in False Creek. Imperial is fully supportive of a free marketplace and encourages others to explore this business if they are interested.

An environmental assessment of the property will be undertaken in due course, before a decision is made about the future use of the property.

With respect to supply, it is our understanding that alternative marine service and supply for customers is available in Horseshoe Bay. We regret the inconvenience this closure will cause and thank you for your past patronage.

Thomas Bourguignon
Customer Service Specialist
www.ImperialOil.ca

So there you have it..

My take on this: well, it's their business, they can do what they want with it.

Perhaps the Parks Board can take over? Or find another operator? I am sure they must be charging some sort of lease to ESSO.. can they do without the revenue? Tell them!

Your comments?

Here is what our sources tell us:

• moorage rates have been increased by inflation at 2.75%
• Side moorage 21 ft and under, per ft/mth currently $9 proposed to increase to $9.25
• Side moorage 22 ft and over, per ft/mth currently $10.25 proposed $10.55
• Transient moorage per ft/mth currently $1.75 proposed to $1.80
• Land storage & kayak racks per annum 15% increase
• Electricity connection and user fee from $20.00 to $20.55
• Work area
  1 to 30 days 15% increase
  30 to 60 days 15% increase

Question: When, if ever, was this going to be put forth to the public??