The Beacon

Volume 30 Number 5
June 2000

The Official Newsletter of the Saanich Peninsula Squadron

A UNIT OF CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRONS

Commander Cdr Ken Reeves 655-3602  
Past Commander P/Cdr Helen Louwerse 544-4358 [email protected]
Executive Officer Lt/Cdr Greg Nutt 656-4212 nutz@ home.com
Training Officer Lt/Cdr Greg Nutt 656-4212 nutz@ home.com
Assistant Training Officer 1st Lt John Hudson 655-3653 [email protected]
ATO Chief Proctor 1st Lt Sita Pillay 656-5675 [email protected]
Youth Training Officer 1st Lt Barbara Bond 384-4268 [email protected]
Training Aids Officer 1st Lt David Teece 658-0299 [email protected]
Treasurer 1st Lt Jim Dawson 658-8204
Secretary 1st Lt Paulette Nutt 656-4212 [email protected]
Membership Officer 1st Lt Diana McBratney 656-4590 [email protected]
Editor, Beacon 1st Lt Heather Pepper 656-8101 [email protected]
Publisher, Beacon 1st Lt Agnes Simpson 652-1291
Supply Officer 1st Lt Chris Sterling 656-7927  
P.R. & Entertainment Officer 1st Lt Gay Miller 656-5190 [email protected]
Port Captain 1st Lt Gay Miller 656-5190 [email protected]
Marep Hydrographic P/Cdr Stephen Denroche 656-6177 [email protected]
Social Cruise Captain 1st Lt Barry Levi 477-3702 [email protected]
Student Cruise Captain 1st Lt Martin Pepper pgr388-1727 [email protected]
Environment Officer 1st Lt George Winn 472-2219 [email protected]
Communications Officer 1st Lt Jackie Levi 656-3420 [email protected]
Webmaster P/Cdr Glenn Gallins 656-4904 [email protected]
Archivist (Temp) P/Cdr Giles Perodeau 656-4525 [email protected]
Auditor ***** Brenna Litwack 656-0084 [email protected]
********************** ****** ************** ********** ********************

Meetings of the Bridge will be held on the third Thursday of each month at 1930 in the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, except July and December. All members are welcome to attend. Information for The Beacon should be in the hands of the Editor by the 15th of the month. The Beacon will also be published on the Squadron website at http://www.islandnet.com/~cps-sps


Page 2

Commander's Comments

Commander's Annual Report to the Squadron

Your new Bridge was elected at the Annual General Meeting on 1 May. A warm welcome was afforded to our new members: Jackie Levi, Heather Pepper, John Hudson, George Winn, Sita Pillay and Gay Miller -- welcome aboard. We said farewell to David Stansfield, Ray Scott, Carol Sidwell, Tamara Nutt, Bob Richardson, Colin Gallins, Hank Louwerse and Lesley Head. Thank you all for your support to the Squadron during the past year.

I am privileged to be your Commander for a second year and I am looking forward to an interesting, busy and productive year.

Our year was a busy one, two Boating courses, and maintenance, weather and communications courses to round out the training schedule. The student training cruises to Otter Bay confirmed once again, that there's nothing like "hands on" experience to confirm the classroom lessons. Incidentally, our graduation rate for both courses was 96% -- for these results our thanks go to Doug Mitchell and the proctors working with Chief Proctor Sita Pillay. Socially, a very enjoyable and busy cruise season was organized by Barry Levi, culminating in the New Year's cruise to Otter Bay Marina. Additionally, our annual Christmas Party and Dance was held at the Glen Meadows Golf Club. Apart from dancing, entertainment was provided by two very charming ladies who were most accomplished in the art of Belly Dancing.

In other activities, we staffed the entrance gate for the Sidney on-the-water Boat Show, and provided a float for the Sidney Days annual parade.

Squadron volunteers collected 46 Merit Marks for a minimum of 20 hours volunteered in the year -- some members exceeded a hundred hours!

Finally, my two main goals this year are to increase the number of members who volunteer for Squadron activities, and to increase the size of the boating classes.

That wraps up a resume of the year's activities. I wish all of our members an enjoyable and safe boating season.

Ken Reeves, Commander


Page 3

Coming Events

Calendar

June

Jun. 3 Annual Squadron Sailpast on the Sidney waterfront, 1400 hrs, followed by Cocktails (1600) and Dinner (1700) at the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club.

Jun. 11 Day cruise to "Sidney Spit for Kids Special" -- a day of games and other family fun -- still time to get home for the evening if you don't want to stay -- could even get the ferry if you don't have a boat or a squadron member who is able to take you.

Jun. 15 Bridge meeting at Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, 1930. All mem- bers are welcome to attend. Last meeting until August.

July and August

Jul. 1 Sidney Days Parade. The Squadron is planning to enter a boat (on a trailer towed by a truck) again this year. Anyone with bright ideas for decoration or who would like simply to help decorate or walk in the parade, please contact Greg Nutt at 656-4212.

Jul. 7-9 North Island District Rendezvous at Transfer Beach, Ladysmith.

NO BRIDGE MEETING IN JULY and NO BEACON IN AUGUST

Jul. 15 Todd Inlet raft-up.

Aug. 17 Bridge meeting at Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, 1930. All members are welcome to attend.

Aug. 18-20 3rd Annual Vancouver Island South District Gathering at Otter Bay, on North Pender Island. Plan now to come along and among other things find yourselves served breakfast by members of the Bridge …have a swim in the pool … golf 'n other games … pot luck dinners …all good stuff and you can still catch the Ferry back home if you don't bring your own boat or come with friends.

Abundance can be had simply by consciously receiving what already has been given. (Sufi saying)


Page 4

Meet the Bridge

Meet Heather Pepper. Heather just completed the Boating Course in April but has considerable boating experience behind her. She and husband Martin (also on the Bridge) used to live on their 52 foot sailboat until their charter business took off and they now reside in Sidney with their daughter and son. Heather works in the Royal Bank in Sidney (mostly) and spends much of her time cleaning up and re-stocking the boat between charters. Last year, while not a member, Heather volunteered a whole bunch of time helping with the production of the Beacon. This year, fresh off course, she has volunteered to take over as Editor in the Fall.

Meet Giles Perodeau. Giles celebrates his 30th year with the Squadron this Fall. He joined the Sqn following Army service during WW II and after, having retired in 1969 with the rank of Major. Giles and wife Helen moved to Sidney in 1970, took the Boating course and joined the Sqn. He was corralled into joining the Bridge in 1972. He served as Boating course instructor, Executive Officer and as our Commander in 74-75. Giles moved to the rarefied air of Vancouver Island District in 1975 and served as Treasurer until 1983. In 1991, or thereabouts, he returned to the Sqn Bridge as Archivist -- a position he would dearly love to give up to someone else so that he can clear the top of his ping-pong table. Giles has served the Sqn well -- with wisdom and a quiet sense of humour. We look forward to many more years of association with him and with Helen.

Member News

A warm welcome to the Squadron is extended to John Stenstrom and Larry Nylen, Associate Regular members. We also would like to welcome Jim Peters, Peter Payerl and Bob Stern. Hope to meet all of you soon.


Page 5

Training Page

Correction: One of our observant members noticed that our diagrams show the navigation side lights abaft of the masthead light(s). Normally the side lights will be forward of the masthead light(s).

Wake and Wash

The meaning of words may, depending on usage, change over time. It will be interesting to see what lexicographers do with wake and wash.

At present, wake is so often used in place of wash that it is hard to differentiate between them; but they each refer to separate phenomenon. If wake replaces wash, what will be used to replace wake in its original meaning?

Before the recent revisions, the Boating Course Glossary defined wash as "waves spreading outward, caused by the passage of a vessel." Nice and concise. Wake was defined as "the surface disturbance left by a moving vessel." A somewhat harder definition to visualize.

Looking back from a moving vessel will tell you a lot. On a relatively calm day both wake and wash should be readily identifiable. The wake will stretch for a considerable distance aft, clearly indicating where the vessel has been. The wash, on the other hand, will be radiating away from the vessel and, if large, endangering both other craft and shoreline. Looking back to see the effect of a vessel's wash should be a habit all skippers cultivate.

Remembering which is wake and which is wash will be easier if you remember: waves can wash a person overboard. Wake, on the other hand, is a current set in motion by friction between a vessel and the water adjoining it.

In some cases (commercial vessels where an efficient propeller is paramount), wake becomes a factor in determining propeller pitch. A propeller operating within a vessel's wake will be operating in water moving in the same direction as the vessel. For example: a vessel traveling at 18 knots and producing a wake of 3 knots would have a propeller traveling at 15 knots. For most recreational boaters this is not an issue. In simplified pitch calculations wake is included with slip. Anyone interested in propeller calculations should read Dave Gerr's Propeller Handbook.

Jim Dawson

Editor's note: We thank Jim for the Training notes he has included in The Beacon over the last several issues. Now that Jim is the Treasurer, however, we expect he will hand the light over to someone in the Training Department.


Page 6

Squadron AGM -- 1 May 2000

Our Annual General Meeting was held at the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club. Following presentation of officers' reports and presentation of Merit Awards, District Commander (and our own Sqn member), Ken Clarke, was on hand to swear in the Commander and Bridge Officers for the coming year. New to the Bridge this year we have: John Hudson, George Winn, Jackie Levi and Heather Pepper. And returning to help is P/Cdr Glenn Gallins.

The paper version of this newsletter contained a picture taken at the AGM: Cdr Ken Reeves presenting a 30 year plaque to P/Cdr Giles Perodeau. Giles would really like to retire after these many years of service, but we haven't been able to find anyone to fill his shoes? Is anyone out there interested? One would need a place to store about 6 boxes of "stuff" and would have to be able to attend most if not all Bridge meetings.

Definitions:

Against the Sun: a term applied to a rotary motion that is opposite to the hands of a watch.

All Night In: a night's sleep with no watch.

All Standing: to be fully equipped; to be quickly brought to a stop is said to be "brought up all standing." To "turn in all standing" is to retire with one's clothes on


Page 7

Squadron Graduation

Spring Boating Class 2000

Monday the 8th of May, 2000 -- our Spring Graduation was held, again at the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club. District Executive Officer,

D/Lt/C Peter Jennings joined us to congratulate the entire class -- they all graduated -- and to help us welcome those who decided to join the Squadron. Outgoing Environment Officer, Lesley Head, spoke to the class about the need for increased environmental awareness and handed out "Green Boat" kits. Lesley was followed by Stephen Denroche, our MAREP Hydrographic Officer, who managed to take what can be a deadly dull topic and turn it into a half hour of entertainment bordering on hysterics for the audience.

Unfortunately at Graduation time we did not have the names of those who completed either the Weather or the Marine Maintenance courses.

District AGM

The weekend of 4-8 May was a busy one indeed. The Boat Show, where our members worked the gate, and the District AGM vied with the SNSYC Opening and Sailpast and the Horticultural Show for members attention. Those who attended the District AGM found themselves wined, dined, and entertained in terrific facilities, while at the same time managing to complete the work of an annual general meeting. On Friday night the weekend started with Wine and Cheese (plus much more) in the Crystal Gardens and the showing of Race the Wind at the IMAX. On Saturday the venue changed to the Chiefs and Petty Officers Mess on Lyall St in Esquimalt -- high on a hill overlooking Dockyard on one side and the Straits of Juan de Fuca on the other. While those at the Boat Show in Sidney scurried for cover under clouds of rain and hail, those of us attending the meetings on Saturday conducted our business under sunny skies and relatively comfortable surroundings.

Five members of Saanich Peninsula Sqn have positions on the District Bridge: Ken Clarke continues as Commander; Marg Griffin continues in her position as Assistant Dist Training Officer; Ray Berry continues as Environment Officer and picks up Coast Guard Liaison as a second hat; Helen Louwerse moves over to Port Captain; and Diana McBratney joins the Bridge as Assist. Roster Editor and Advertising Coordinator. Helen and Diana both retain positions on our Squadron Bridge as well.


Pages 8 and 9 contained a copy of a request for registration at the District Annual Gathering at Otter Bay in mid-August. If you plan to attend, please contact the Editor for a copy of this form.


Page 10

Easter Cruise

On the 1999 Easter (round Saltspring) cruise we had the comment that "It would be nice to stay in one place longer" We therefore took a poll of those present, and the majority were in favor of that suggestion. So……………..

This year we spent the first two nights of the long weekend in Telegraph Harbour Marina Thetis Island, welcomed by Ron and Barbara Williamson, the new owners. Seven boats joined us the first night, nine the second. What an eventful weekend!

Friday we just relaxed, visited, enjoyed happy hour and the usual great pot luck dinner. All of this took place on board Dorian I, thanks to Bob and Mo. Late that night there was a sinking of a high speed runabout just outside the marinas. He was heading home to Victoria, in the dark, and struck a log, ripping off the boats leg. The driver was rescued by the Coast Guard, and the boat towed to the vicinity of the ramp still submerged. Most of us were completely unaware of all this activity until Saturday morning when they hauled the boat out onto a trailer, upside down!

Saturday, Panache and Legasea arrived to join us. Panache limped in on one engine. It was a nice morning, so a small group of us walked the short distance to the ferry terminal and took a trip to Chemainus for the afternoon. This beautiful little town is perfect for a walkabout with it's many boutiques and gift shops within a few blocks of the ferry. We had our happy hour on the deck at the marina. It was sunny but a little breezy and cool, so we retired to Dorian I again for pot luck.

Sunday morning several "Easter Bunnies" were seen placing Easter eggs on the various boats. Later, everyone was given newspaper and scotch tape and a hard boiled egg, and asked to build an Easter bonnet or decorated egg. This contest was to be judged in Maple Bay the next day.

The crews of several boats attended Easter Services on Thetis Island, the rest of us departed for Maple Bay. The Easter bonnet and decorated egg contest produced some really neat creations. In the end everyone who participated received a chocolate egg for their efforts. At Maple Bay we passed up a pot luck dinner in favor of dining at the restaurant.

Unfortunately, Legasea, had engine problems and had to be towed back to Thetis by Charlotte Time. Panache was still on only one engine, so they decided to remain at Thetis where the mechanical problems were repaired. They returned safely to Sidney the next day. As I said at the start………. An eventful and fun weekend. We can't wait for the next cruise! Barry Levi


Page 11

Comox Weather Talk

To those of you who may be boating northwards this year: good news from the Coast Guard -- the popular Comox weather talk station is back on the air (after an absence of two years due to $ cutbacks).

Here is what the Coast Guard had to say (email dated 11 April, 2000)

". . . We … will re-establish the enhanced MAREP service on May 15, broadcasting from the Comox Coast Guard MCTS Centre on VHF channel 62A, or 156. 125 MHz, from 0600 to 1800 daily.

"The purpose of establishing this informal solicitation service is to enhance and exchange weather related information, insuring the information is consistent and reliable for use by marine forecasters at The Pacific Weather Centre and the general public.

"Your members local Mariner Reports received by Comox MAREP, are relayed to others operating on and off the water in our coastal marine and aviation community. Assisting them with better knowledge of current weather conditions as they plan a safe voyage or fight.

"Initially the area of coverage is the Strait of Georgia from the 49th Parallel north to the eastern section of Johnstone Strait. Broadcasting and receiving weather related information form a repeater on Texada Island, with the possible expansion to other areas in the future. Comox MAREP would like to solicit your members professional participation in this program."

GPS and more . . .

Kevin Monahan, principal author of "GPS--Instant Navigation" and "Proven Cruising Routes Volume One--Seattle to Ketchikan," has recently announced Shipwrite Productions website at http://www.shipwrite.bc.ca . Many of you will have met Captain Monahan when he volunteered to give us a GPS Seminar last year. Please visit his new website and let him know your opinions and reactions.

Have you checked your waypoints recently? The US Military has now unscrambled the satellite signals -- so remember to check them out the next time you're on the water with your GPS.


Page 12

Cartoon not available.

MAREP Reports -- we know all about those, don't we! Our Squadron is continually winning MAREP awards; however, it is all because of just a few of our members who take the moment or two necessary to file reports. If you want to report but don't know how, where, or when, contact Stephen Denroche at 656-6177 or email [email protected].

trailer your boat?

The Tulista Park Boat Launch is owned by the Town of Sidney and operated by the Sidney anglers' Association under an agreement with the Town. This year the Association has introduced a new Seasonal Pass. The pass entitles holders to unlimited launches and retrievals for the period May 15 to September 15, 2000.

Launch fees: Single launch and retrieval ticket $ 6.00

Seasonal Pass $ 60.00

Annual Pass $100.00

Single tickets are available from the dispenser at the ramp; passes can be obtained from Harvey's Sporting Goods on Second St. in Sidney.

Starboard comes from the Old English "sterbord" which means "steering board". Old ships were steered by means of a large oar or board on the right-side of the boat.

Port came as a result of the confusion between StarBoard and Larboard (the lading, or loading, side of the ship - obviously the other side from the steering board). Since the left side was always at port, it became known as the port side.


Page 13

Seasickness

The origin of "seasickness" is a mismatch between the motion felt within the middle ear and the visual perception of the same motion. Any man oeuvre that keeps that visual perception of the motion perceived by the middle ear equal or near equal will combat or minimize seasickness. Doing something that requires focus on a fixed point, even if that is the horizon, and in the case of steering the vessel, active means of exerting some control of the vessel's motion will help.

In open water, with this in mind some thought to compass placement should be given. Having a compass placed close to the same line of sight as the horizon is helpful. Under the "right" conditions i.e. sea conditions more than one has been previously conditioned to, most of us, even the most "hardened" can become disabled by seasickness.

The most effective preventive medication in my experience is transdermal scopolamine patches. These patches are worn behind one ear and last for three days. The patches should be placed before symptoms begin or could be expected to begin. These are a prescription item that any physician can prescribe and would prescribe with the appropriate need made known to him or her.

I "cheat" a little and keep indictable Compazine and Tigan onboard for passengers who despite the patches I mentioned become seasick. These medications, while generally safe and well tolerated, do require a prescription and should not be given without full knowledge of a person's medical history.

Even so, unless a person has received one these medications before, an unexpected reaction can occur.

I found this out the hard way once when I was working in an understaffed city hospital. I was extremely nauseous and was having difficulty continuing to work. A head nurse, who is now my wife, gave me an injection of compazine. I could barely maintain consciousness and was almost totally out of it for almost 36 hours.

Ray Mance, M.D.

Aluminum: Silver polish makes an excellent aluminum cleaner. (Page 2)

Aluminum: Vinegar can be used to clean and acid-etch aluminum that's about to be painted. (3)

Baking Soda: To tell if the baking soda that's made countless voyages with you is still good, put 1/4 teaspoon of it in 1 tablespoon vinegar, if it fizzes, it's still fresh. (3)


Page 14

Sidney Boat Show

Once again SPS volunteers turned out in great numbers to handle the gate for the Sidney Floating Boat Show over the period May 4 to 7. Thirty-eight members and friends put in at least one two-hour shift, some even more. Few foul-ups; weather ran from dark and windy through hail and brilliant sunshine. And for our efforts we now have $1600 in the bank awaiting a decision on how it can best be used.

Special thanks to Cliff Kachaluba and his crew of Jackie Levi and Heather Pepper who organized the shifts.

The following were our volunteers: Barry Levi, Jackie Levi, Ray Scott, Joyce Morrow, Doug Goodwin, Ken Reeves, Jim Forsyth, Marg Griffin, Pally Pillay, Sita Pillay, Gary Rosa, Dale Rosa, Barry Hawkswood, Gerry Hutchinson, John Hudson, Dave Stevens, John Bloomfield, Walter Tims, Heather Pepper, Peter Wolfe, Gurli Wolfe, Jim Dawson, Vivian Evans, Dave Teece, David Swanson, Maureen Shrieves, Jack Shrives, Gene Lamont, Glen Lamont, Gayle Floyd, Barbara Sauve, Ruth Jones, Diana McBratney, Carol Sidwell, Bob Parkinson, Mo Robertson, Bob Richardson, Helen Louwerse.

Thanks to you all.

Where did the expression

'pipe down' come from?

The tone of this expression puts it somewhere between "please lower your voice" and "shut your mouth!" But the words in it don't place it anywhere that's at all obvious. What pipe? Where? Why? Who's smoking it?

The reality is that pipe down is yet another expression that comes from the days of sailing ships. The "pipe" in question was a whistle used by the boatswain, a petty officer--sort of a sergeant--who supervised a work crew on deck. When he blew "pipe down" his men were free to go below. Once they went below, it was quiet on deck. And that's the condition to which you aspire when you tell someone to pipe down. If they don't respond, throw them overboard.

(Source: WHO PUT THE BUTTER IN BUTTERFLY? by David Feldman)


Page 15

Progress . . .

This is said to have been written by a Columbine High School student, and was passed along to me, by email, from Doug Goodwin. Pretty powerful!

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine but less wellness. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

"We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We have higher incomes but lower morals; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

"These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

"These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference.....or just hit DELETE."

TIPS CORNER:

Got a Screw Loose? To set a loose wood screw back in its hold, insert a

long silver of wood, and break the wood off flush with the edge of the

screw hold, set the screw at the tip of the hold next to the wood sliver which makes the hold smaller and the fit tighter, and turn the screw home. Or cut a 1/4 inch strip of wet or dry sandpaper (80 grit to 120 grit works well). Run the abrasive strip over the edge of a work table, or other sharply angled edge, paper side down. The sandpaper coils around the wood screw making it slightly larger. Put the enlarged screw back into the hole, and tighten it up well. (Page 20)


Page 16

Tips Corners

The items in the Tips Corners are all taken from Boating Magazine's Quick & Easy Boat Maintenance -- 1,001 Time-Saving Tips by Sandy Lindsey. Published by McGraw-Hill 1999. The publisher takes no responsibility for the use of any of the materials or methods described in this book, nor for the products thereof.

Stainless steel: to remove salt buildup on stainless steel, rub on isopropyl rubbing alcohol and kerosene. Use a 100% cotton rag. The kerosene returns stainless to its near-original shine. To remove rust from stainless steel and most other deck metals, simply sprinkle a little bit of salt on the rust spot, and then squeeze a lime over the salt until it soaks the salt. Leave the mixture on for 2 or 3 hours. Then gently rub the spot with an old toothbrush until the rust disappears. Sticky railings from a child's gooey hands? Pour vinegar or straight lemon juice onto a sponge and wipe down the goop. Let the vinegar or lemon juice sit for a few minutes to cut through the residue, and then wash off with soap and water. (Page 2) If your stainless steel is slightly discoloured, but the stains aren't so bad that they require special treatment, you can save some money on conventional nonabrasive stainless polishes by sprinkling baking soda on a sponge instead. Scrub down as you normally would, and rinse thoroughly. (Page 1)


Page 17

Skippers on the Shore

by Ron Armstrong

An article by Ron Armstrong, Victoria Model

Shipbuilding Society. Fourth of five parts.

Victoria ship modelers share the same sophisticated radio-control systems as users worldwide. A hand held transmitter sends a signal on a discrete frequency to a receiver in the model. This decodes the signal into commands for servos - motors that turn in partial degrees - and solid state controllers. Servos push or pull various linkages to swing a rudder, swivel a turret or sheet sails in and out. Controllers usually set the speed and direction of the drive motors, but other versions create sound effects such as horns, whistles and gunfire. Such is the precise reliability of modern R/C sets that up to 35 distinct frequencies could operate at the same time (barring off-band interference).

All this still makes for bargain recreation, especially compared to the full-size counterpart. Kits start at $80 but raw materials can be found cheaply in lumber yards, secondhand stores, garage sales and special swap meets. Salvage motors cost nothing or up to $60 in the hobby shops (four well-stocked ones serve Victoria area modelers). Gelcel batteries range from $15 to $35 if bought or free if discarded from alarm systems. Basic two-channel (power and steering) radio control sets, including nickel cadmium batteries, cost around $125. Fittings can be the most expensive aspect if not scrounged or made by the modeler. And finally, models need no mooring or berthing fees!

Victoria ship modelers have a wide array of ponds, lakes and creeks to run on, unofficially.

Three official sites are used. "Home waters" for the VMSS is Harrison Pond at the foot of Government Street, beside Dallas Road. This 200 ft. concrete pool was built at the instigation of colorful Mayor Claude Harrison in 1953-55. Originally intended for model yachts, it's 18 inch depth and 6000 square feet are too restrictive for the competitive sailboat classes. Thus it became the ideal venue for power scale models, which are run every Sunday morning, weather permitting (for the modelers' comfort rather than the models' performance). In 1999 (last century!) some sailors developed two smaller classes of sailboat which are sailed in Harrison on the 2nd and 4th Sunday afternoons. This complements the larger classes racing at either Elk or Beaver Lakes on the 1st and 3rd Sundays between October and April, when winds are strongest.

To be concluded in the next issue. Members who would like more information about the VMSS are invited to phone Ron Armstrong at 391-0101.

 

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