US SAILING Board of Directors Withdraws Mandatory Membership Proposal

Portsmouth, R.I. (June 17, 2008) - US SAILING, national governing body for the sport of sailing, has announced today that its Board of Directors last night voted to withdraw a proposal that would require US SAILING membership of racing sailors.
      “We have heard from our members and we thank everyone for their input,” said US SAILING President Jim Capron. “Many sailors and sailing organizations have told us that racing sailors should be members, but that their membership should be voluntary. We also appreciate that many of these sailing organizations have indicated their willingness to help grow our membership. We look forward to working with all of you to strengthen both our organization and our sport.”

      This comes as good news to many sailors, not so much as they now don’t have to pay the fee, but more to the fact that it’s not mandatory. In fact, many, after hearing about what all US SAILING does, are now joining up because it’s not mandatory, including me. More discussion on the 48° North Forum.

EPA Wants to Treat Recreational and Commercial Boats the Same

      To my fellow boating enthusiasts - the EPA has just released its 2008 Clean Water Act which could possibly make life a little difficult aboard our recreational boats. Please take a minute to look at the information at the two links below. The second link allows you to send a letter to your state representatives to encourage the passage of the Clean Boating Act of 2008 by Congress, which would help us all deal with the EPA proposal. We are not commercial boats, and so should not be treated as such!

Stacey Hoopes
Marketing Manager
Fisheries Supply
Seattle, WA 98103

      Thanks Stacey for bringing this to the forefront. It’s been in the wings for quite a while and many of us thought it would go away because of impracticalities in the regulations. However, we should have known better. Links to articles on this topic: www.tradeonlytoday.com/ME2/dirmod.asp www.boatblue.org/

Remembering Hewitt Jackson

      I would like to express my sincere appreciation for publishing a review on my new book: Hall Brothers Shipbuilders in your June issue of 48° North. It’s been a 35 plus years research project and a review in your magazine is significant to me personally.
      Also, I want to express my thanks for all the years that you supported Hewitt Jackson and his writings and art work. He was a long time friend and helped me in some of the early research on the Halls. I’ve written a “Remembering Hewitt Jackson” piece on the years I knew Hewitt for the PSMHS Sea Chest magazine. Your obit article was helpful to me in my writing. It will published in the near future. He was such a wonderful artist and friend.

Sincerely,
Gary M. White
www.pugetmaritime.org/index.htm

Coast Guard Responds to 133-foot Adventuress
Aground in Wasp Passage

      SEATTLE - The Coast Guard responded to the 133-foot sailing vessel Adventuress that ran aground in Wasp Passage, San Juan Islands, Wash., Monday, June 23, 2008. The Washington State Ferry Sealth along with Vessel Assist were able to remove all of the passengers and crew safely from the vessel.

      This isn’t exactly a letter, but was a late breaking incident that we thought was certainly of interest. For video and pictures go to the Coast Guard Visual Information Gallery:

Picture:
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2itemId=311150
Video: (Official Coast Guard video by Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles)
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=311141

Any Info on Northwest 18 Daysailer

      I own a boat that may be a Northwest 18 (daysailer). Google searches led me both to the archived letters at 48° North, and to forums at Woodenboat. Apparently these boats were built in Gorst, not far from Bremerton or Port Orchard; and was apparently designed by Gary Lundy. Do you know of this boat, or of anyone that might know of the boat?
      Upon Further Investigation Mr. Lundy emailed me and we have discussed the NW 18, and this boat is not such, although it may be close in some ways. The primary difference is the NW 18 had a swing keel, and this has a removable fin keel (dagger keel). So it looks like I have more research to do, and I look forward to that as well. One of the things that piqued my interest was when I was wandering through the storage lot at Sail Sand Point a few weekends ago and found a boat with a nearly identical hull - apparently an Oslojolle built by Sverre Westermoen of Grimstad Norway . Different rig, different cockpit, different centerboard instead of daggerkeel arrangements; but the hulls are incredibly similar. Being trained in terrestrial architecture, my eye for this sort of thing is not as good as it is with buildings. The NW 18 / Oslojolle hull form and dimensions also seem very similar to the Mower X-Dory, too. If it is based on the Oslojolle, it is in good company, as the Oslojolle was designed by Erling Kristofersen - designer of the Knarr (certainly one of the prettiest designs around). Being based on the X-Dory would not be a bad thing either, I think.

My thanks; and my best wishes -

Matthew A. Meacham
Gig Harbor, Washington

Deadly Pirates Operating Off Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

      The leading Costa Rican newspaper, LA NACION, reported June 15, 2008 the deadly menace of pirates operating in the Pacific waters of Costa Rica. According to writer, N. Aquilar, three boat crew have been killed and three others are missing and presumed dead. The attacks to date have been at night and aimed mostly at Costa Rican fishermen, but authorities are concerned attacks will spread to foreigners passing through Costa Rican waters.
      The pirates are thought to be local criminal elements, not foreign drug runners, who have found lucrative takings in the largely unpatrolled waters of Costa Rica. There is little hope Costa Rica will take meaningful action to protect its waters.
      One long time world cruiser, now Costa Rican resident said, “Costa Rica can’t control crime on its streets, much less on its waters.” Another local resident said, “This is a tragic new development; the first piracy reported. Are we to become the Somalia of Central America?”
      The authorities and commercial interests usually downplay any such news for reasons of national pride and financial motives, but until the waters are patrolled and safe, foreign boaters must be advised so they can make their own informed decisions about entering Costa Rica’s Pacific waters.

Carl Robbins
Central America

Not So Deadly Pirates in Port Townsend

      I would like to inform everyone that the PNW Latitudes and Attitudes cruising club, with the help of our friends at 48° North, is planning its annual party. On August 9th and 10th we will all be heading for the Point Hudson marina in Port Townsend. This will be our 7th annual party. Originally starting seven years ago at Sucia Island in the San Juans, the party has grown each year. The next year we held the party in Coronet Bay, adjacent to Deception Pass. Then came Poulsbo, Oak Harbor, Lopez Island resort, Poulsbo again and this year Port Townsend. The party has grown from just a few boats to over 85 boats last year, filling the Poulsbo Marina and anchoring out. You can drive in, come by water or visit by passenger ferry.
      Past events have included a treasure hunt for the kids, a pet costume contest, Pirate flag contest, costume contest, a boat decorations contest and a blind man dinghy race. One of our favorite events is called “Movies on the Mainsail.” With the aid of a video projector and sound system we project a movie onto the hoisted mainsail of Dan Freeman’s vessel Ghost, a 51-foot Formosa sailboat. Kids and adults alike crowd the main deck, coach roof and dock while munching popcorn and other snacks. Classic sailing movies such as Captain Ron or Treasure Island are great viewed this way. Everyone has a great time and many new friends are made.
      The usual tradition of pot luck occurs on Saturday afternoon followed by several hours of socializing and exploring each others boats. The party for the adults starts later on Saturday evening and is sponsored by the Latitudes and Attitudes Magazine. Bob and Jody, along with several of the magazine crew, show up to raffle off booty. Everything from a South Pacific cruise to gold jewelry. Entertainment is provided by Eric Stone and his band along with our own Dave Calhoun aka Music Man. The music is Tropical rock. The rest of the weekend is spent making friends, talking about boats, touring the local attractions shopping and just generally relaxing with friends.
      I would like to have as many people come and visit Port Townsend and enjoy the weekend in the area. With the recent ferry system problems, the PT community needs our support. They have always been a boating community, so who better to help them than people interested or into boating.
      More information is available at this link:
www.latsandatts.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7538.

Douglass Young

North Sea 34 Pilothouse Motorsailer Sloops Rendezvous

      I pick up copies of your magazine at Jensen’s Marine (hardware store) at Westport Marina in North Saanich-Sidney, B.C. and have noticed over the years that you publish monthly boating events. Is it possible for non-subscribers to have an event listed? If there is a charge , I would be happy to send a money order or pay by credit card.
      I am one of 28 owners of a motor sailer built in Richmond, BC -- from 1977 thru 1984 , by Beaver Glass Hulls. The event is : “North Sea 34 Pilot House Motor Sailer Sloops” rendezvous on August 13 and 14th, 2008 at Maple Bay Marina , BC. Chart data : 48° 46’ 48” N.Lat / 123° 36’ 00” W.Long

Yours truly,
Hugh MacCallum
hcmaccallum@hotmail.com

      No charge for notices of boating events, but we do accept liquid bribes. You’ll find your notice in the calendar under August. You may win the prize for the longest event name, however. Have a great time.