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The Beacon

Volume 31 Number 01 February, 2001

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 and Lt/C Greg Nutt 656-4212 [email protected]

Training Officer

Assist. Training Officer 1st Lt John Hudson 655-3653 [email protected]

ATO Chief Instructor Lt Doug Mitchell 656-2959 [email protected]

ATO Chief Proctor 1st Lt Sita Pillay 656-5675 [email protected]

Youth 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 [email protected]

Supply Officer 1st Lt Chris Sterling 385-4009 -

Communications 1st Lt Jackie Levi 656-3420 [email protected]

MAREP Hydrographic P/Cdr Stephen Denroche 656-6177 [email protected]

Webmaster S/C Glenn Gallins 656-4904 [email protected]

Social Cruise Captain 1st Lt Barry Levi 656-3420 [email protected]

Student Cruise Captain 1st Lt Martin Pepper 656-8101 [email protected]

PR & Entertainment 1st Lt Gay Miller 656-5190 [email protected]

and Port Captain

Environment Officer 1st Lt George Winn 472-2219 [email protected]

Archivist (Temporary) 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 web page:

http://www.islandnet.com/~cps-sps/


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Cruise Updates

 ~ Otter Bay - - New Years (Contibuted from Barry Levi)

Five boats from our squadron attended the New Years Eve Cruise to Otter Bay. The weather was cool but calm, with no rain. The trip home on New Years Day was great, just like spring! Almost hated to return home.

For the potluck dinner we laid out the foods on one of the boats, then took our loaded plates to the two boats that hosted dinner. As usual the potluck was great.

Several boats from Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club were also at Otter Bay, including some graduates of the fall Boating Class. Hope to see them next year as Squadron members.

As in past years, Chuck and Kay Spence held “Open House” at their residence. This was a very nice affair attended by a large number of people including most of the “boaters”. We thank them for their hospitality, and excellent treats.

The passing of 2000 into 2001 was very quiet. There was no activity at the gazebo as in past years. After the spread at the Spence’s house, most of the gang retired to their boats. Jackie roused a few to ring in the New Year with a toast and sparklers (left over from Halloween). A short rendition of Auld Lang Sine, and we all returned to the warmth of our boats.

A very enjoyable quickie weekend cruise. Nice to be on the water again after too many weeks in the boathouse!

Many Thanks to: Lady M, Onaway I, Showtime, Mer Blue, and Legasea.

Charlotte Time tried but couldn’t make it.

Barry Levi,

Social Cruise Captain


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From The Editor

A brand new year awaits you!

It has never been here before and will never come again. In fact , the New Year—any year for that matter—is only a fleeting moment in the cycle of eternity--- constantly moving, never ending.

What will you do with it ? Turn over a new leaf? The idea may seem good, but to accomplish anything of a constructive nature you must blend you life, here and now, into the thing you want to be. Truly what you are to be, you are now becoming. Are you satisfied with the outlook?

No one should be satisfied with himself, nor completely dissatisfied. The moment you become satisfied, you begin to die. Success consists in having a vision of better, more worthy things and a willingness to strive toward that goal.

Keep your vision clear and you goal high. Let love and kindness be your ruling passion. Be sincere, be active, have faith , work with the laws of God in serving mankind. Use the brand new year as you should and you will enjoy a more abundant life.

Borrowed from ….Abundant living, Voice for Health

2001 has started off with more than one or two negatives, I am striving to remain positive and be thankful for all the great things in my life. Along with my best friend and skipper I found this article a real inspiration and hope you’ll find it beneficial as well. All the best to you and yours.

~Heather Pepper, Editor


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WANTED! ------- ALIVE!!!!

VOLUNTEERS for the Squadron Bridge, Special Events, assistance with Squadron activities.

DESCRIPTION Height, weight, colour of hair – not important

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS

Energetic, imaginative, willing to give some free time to the Squadron

SITTINGS If you recognize yourself in this poster, turn yourself in to any SP Bridge member.

( Tel numbers in the Beacon)

REWARD Satisfaction in contributions to Safe Boating, and to the continued success of

SAANICH PENINSULA SQUADRON!!!!!!!


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Membership News (Contibuted By Membership Officer Diana McBratney 656-4590 OR [email protected])

Apologies to René Jean-Richard -- whose name we got backwards in the last
Beacon. Sorry René, we'll try to do better in the future!
_____________________________
We would like to extend a hearty welcome to new members who joined us in
January :

Larry and Kelly Thompson have now acquired a boat and decided it's time to
join the Squadron (having completed the Boating course in 1997); and to
Terry St. Michael who has transferred to us from Burnaby Sqn.

And from the Fall Boating course which ended in December, we welcome the
following into membership: Mike and Laurel Barge, Bonnie Beck, Farrell
Boyce, Cathy Campbell, Richard Graham, David and Davina Hempsall, Wolfe Hoyer, Bob Hull, Tom and Barbara Kummerfield, Wilfrid Lambo, John Lauder Susan Lines, Kathryn McDougall, Rod Miller, Gerald and Peter Sager.cc

Also Julia Barge (daughter of Mike and Laurel above) we welcome as an
Associate Junior member, having taken Boat Pro in 1999

_______________________________

CPS HQ has announced a new partner to their list of benefits: Sam the
Record Man.
If you happen to be in a city that has a Sam the Record Man store, you may
be able to take advantage discounts as outlined below:
* 20% off all regular priced compact disks, cassettes, video/laser disks,
accessories and DVD.
* 10% of all sale priced merchandise $16.99 and above (excluding
accessories).


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Training Page

Amendment to Chief Instructor, Doug Mitchell’s article “To Teach Or Not To Teach” Please call me if you're interested. I'll keep a list of names and will
notify you when I am able to arrange a briefing session in January or
February.
Take up the challenge!

Doug Mitchell

Chief Instructor

656-2959

[email protected]

TED IS BACK!

On behalf of the Training Department, and in fact, all Squadron members,
I would like to say how wonderful it is to see Ted Meadley back in the
saddle co-teaching the Boating Course, and looking so well! This past
year has been a very rough one for Ted and Maureen, but they have
persevered with incredible strength, faith, will and optimism. The
results are obvious! We are delighted that 2001 is off to such a good
start for you both. Long may the good times continue. Welcome back, old
friend!

Doug Mitchell
Chief Instructor


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Beacon Book Review

Just released by the Meteorological Service of Canada, Coastal Weather for British Columbia Mariners is in CD ROM format and includes The Marine Weather Hazards Manual, The Wind Came All Ways and more information for those who seek to understand Pacific Coastal weather. Another new release which has come to our attention is Captain Howard’s Navigational Course Book for British Columbia Coastal Waters, a reference for BC navigators. Forty different routes are described in minute detail - clearing lines, heading marks, transit lines, etc. This reference is intended to be used by both professional mariners and pleasure boaters The Last Great Sea, by Terry Glavin is described as a voyage through the human and natural history of the North Pacific ocean. This is my February read if I survive the Vancouver Boat Show. Hope to see some of you there!

CHRISTMAS CAROLS QUIZ ANSWERS

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas

We Three King’s

Deck The Halls

Joy To The World

The First Noel

All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth

Away In A Manger

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

Jingle Bells

Go Tell It On The Mountain

What Child Is This?

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Silent Night

Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire

Frosty The Snowman

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

T’was The Night Before Christmas

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Hark The Herald Angels Sing

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Oh Christmas Tree

Silver Bells

Oh Holy Night

Oh Come All Ye faithful.


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Rules . . .

Boat for Sale

I listened is awe as the owner of a 33 ft cigarette style boat described his below deck living space. “It has a fully enclosed head, with shower, a galley with refrigeration, microwave and two burner stove, a dinette, hanging lockers and a large V berth.”

One look at the low, sleek foredeck and I knew this boat had to have a basement in order to accommodate these luxuries. “And”, he added, “it does 70 mph right out of the crate.” That rules out the basement theory!

I invited myself onboard to witness first hand this marvel of interior design.

I forced my 254 lb bulk through the 2 ft wide by 3ft high sliding hatch and there before me was a beautifully finished and decorated cabin “in miniature”. From sole to deck head measured 4’6”. To use the fully enclosed head, one had to stand in the main cabin with the hatch open, drop trousers, back carefully over the sill, squat and pull the knees up to the ears, reach out and pull the door closed. If you can reach the toilet tissue while in this position, Cirque de Soleil has an employment opportunity with your name on it. After the head, the galley was a snap. You just kneel down as you prepare the meal. Considering my galley skills, this might just be an appropriate position. The “V” berth was large, by comparison. I could almost straighten my 5’ 11” without too much hanging over the open end. “Kinda tight”, I said as I came back into the cockpit. “Yeah, but look at these engines”, he said pointing to a couple of chrome clad fire breathers. “What did the wife say?” I asked. “Not a word. The letter from her lawyer said she was keeping the house in Rosedale, the Mercedes, the cottage and the kids, and bout 60% of my income, til the kids are over 21.”

“Say, do you happen to know any really short women who love fast boats?”

Believe it or not, the boat described in this story really exists. It was put out by a major Florida boat builder in the late 1980’s. The dealership I worked for at that time imported three of these boats and sold them at prices from $179,000. to $192,000.

There are some strange boats and some strange boaters out there. Not all of the strange are as obvious as this one.


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WAKE and WASH

In our squadron, Jim Dawson started a crusade to correct the Boating Course glossary (page 8 of 8) definitions of "Wake" and "Wash" (Beacon June 2000). I am sure other sought to have better definitions. An e-mail has been received from R/C Jens Oster, Boating Course Director as follows:

"An error in the Boating Course glossary has been pointed out. This error needs to be corrected right away. Could you please change the definitions of wake and wash to read as follows:

Wake - Track or path that a boat leaves behind it when it moves across water.

Wash - The waves, created by a boat's progress through the water, which are carried outwards from the boat's track. Often called "wake", which is an error.

It is important you pass this message on to your Squadron Training Officers as soon as possible so their Boating students can correct their notes. Thank you for your help."

This also applies to graduated of the Boating Course since the 8th edition of the course was issued in 1999.

MISS-USE OF NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS

Everyone who has come close to me knows that I intend to finish our house before pursuing the purchase of a decent sized sail boat. This is of some concern maintaining credibility in our squadron as one of its officers with nothing more than a 14 foot aluminum run-about.

My wife, Carolyn wanted a turret as an architectural feature of our new house. While I figure that turrets are only for mounting cannon and even though I had no desire to enter a life or piracy (one can see the super-ferries from the turret), I agreed. My reluctance was not that of an architectural philistine, but that they are miserable to drywall, plaster and mitre baseboard trim and window sills, which is where the navigation instruments come into the story.

Every carpenter knows that the mitre on a picture frame is 45º. The angles on a hexagon turret are different and there was no telling if it is a perfect hexagon. To measure the angle I used a square navigation protractor and a navigation parallel rule. The protractor was horizontally placed on the left of the corner to be measured with 0º and 180º axis parallel to one wall and 0º to the right. One bar of the parallel rule was placed on the other wall and the other bar rotated to cross the centre of the protractor. The angle was read. This represents to exterior angle to the "deflection" of the turret and has to be subtracted from 180º to get the interior angle.

To get the angle to cut, the above angle is halved. This cut angle is the angle from the cutting guide of a miter or radial arm saw. As these saws are calibrated to measure angles left or right of the right angle from the cutting guide, the calculated angle has to be subtracted from 90º.

Whether you set the angle of the saw to left or right of center is something I cannot help you with, you are on your own. Cut carefully!

John Hudson


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STATUS of WINTER COURSES

Registrations for the Spring CPS courses offered by our squadron have met with mixed results, first the bad news. It was a disappointment that the PILOTING course only attracted 2 students in spite of advertisements in the Beacon and graduates from recent Boating Courses being e-mailed. As Brentwood Squadron had more students than we did, they took our students into their class.

All the rest is good news. A week before the BOATING course started there were 30 pre-registration, a waiting list of 3 and the number climbing. With the PCOC deadline of 2002-09 -15 for a person born before April 2, 1983 operating a pleasure craft of less than 4 m, this was not considered good publicity for CPS. To address this situation Cliff Cunningham, who was to have taught the Piloting Course volunteered to teach a second Boating Course class in the room that had been reserved for Piloting. By registration night the number had climbed to 36 students. Although there were no registration night walk-ins, 6 more students registered the following week bringing the class to 42. The final number was 43 by the time registration was cut off.

The number registering for Marine Maintenance resulted again in a full class of fifteen students. Squadron members wishing to take this course in future years should be warned to pre-register early as this class fills up fast.

The Fundamentals of Weather course staggered into existence with a minimum number of 6 students. After two students withdrew, instructor Bob Richardson gamely agreed to teach the reduced number, only to be rewarded by 2 new students bringing the number back to 6. This course follows a re-written manual published later in 2000.

On April 7th, 2001, Capt. Kevin Monahan has agreed to repeat his GPS course. The previous course had almost 50 attending. To date, 10 people have pre-registered. With the Legion Hall on Mills Road closing, the venue has been moved to Holy Trinity Church Hall, 1 km further west on Mills Road. This hall can hold 75 people at tables with no one having their back to the presenter. Expected course cost is $35 with a subsidy to buying Monahan's definitive book, "GPS - Instant Navigation". Interested people should contact the undersigned to pre-register.

Pre-registrations for the next sessions of Boating and Marine Maintenance have been received from 4 students.

John Hudson
Assistant Training Officer
[email protected]
250-655-3653


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Time & Longitude (Continued from Dec. / Jan)

By Jim Dawson JN, Lake St. Louis SQN, The Wheel House. Continued on page…….

 

It looked rather more like a modern car engine than a clock, and it weighed 72 pounds in its gimbaled wooden case, but it astounded the admiralty after sea trial lasting a year with an error of only three minutes. The Admiralty advanced the paltry sum of 250 pounds. They told Harrison that his clock was too big! It looked rather more like a modern car engine than a clock, and it weighed 72 pounds in its gimbaled wooden case, but it astounded the admiralty after sea trial lasting a year with an error of only three minutes. The Admiralty advanced the paltry sum of 250
pounds. They told Harrison that his clock was too big!

He should work on it some more. Harrison continued working on clocks. After
42 years since his first clock, Chronometer No. 1, Harrison had received a TOTAL of 1,250 pounds from the Admiralty. Out of patience at long last, he petitioned King George III for the balance owing to him - and, not surprisingly, won his case.

It should be stated here that there was a method devised which "worked", the "lunar method", to determine Longitude. It was so complex to use, however, that very few mariners except for a small number of mathematically talented naval officers could handle it.


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Continued From Page. 12

But there is a bit more to this story of longitude at sea and problems
for the navigator. Was he using a French chart, for instance? The Prime Meridian ran through Paris! Other nations also laid claim to having the Prime Meridian passing through their national capitals. Chaos reigned. An incident reported in "Ocean Navigator" concerned a modern sailor who was traveling from Australia to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. As he approached what should have been the Gulf of Aden, he saw nothing ashore but masses of mountains. He discovered eventually he had been plotting his course on a chart based on a Prime Meridian other than Greenwich!

It was not until 1871 that the First International Geographical
Congress meeting in Antwerp, Belgium, passed a resolution placing
the Prime Meridian to run through Greenwich, England. There had
been The Royal Observatory in Greenwich established by King Charles
II in 1675, so the choice was not totally illogical, yet one can easily
imagine the numbers of international noses out of joint when other
countries found their claims to the ownership of the Prime Meridian,
the one from which degrees west or east would be counted, were
rejected.


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Beacon Boating Classifieds

Attention Members!! A new service offered by CPS list boats for sale, boats wanted, items for sale and items wanted. Try it!! There is a terrific potential here and a service to all our Members! You MUST be a CPS member-subscriber to list a boat.

Web site: http://www.cps-esp.org/webboard/$webb.exe/~public

SINGAPORE,BALI,KUALA LUMPUR,BANKOK. 14 LOCALS 55 PLUS DEPARTING FEBRUARY 24 FOR 14 DAYS. LOOKING FOR A SINGLE MALE OR A COUPLE TO JOIN THE GROUP. IF INTERESTED PHONE DAVID AT 544 1333
Honoured Guest Bed and Breakfast
8155 Lochside Drive
Saanichton, B.C. V8M 1V1, Canada.
Phone (250) 544-1333 Fax (250) 544-1330
http://leaphere.com/honoured/

Half-partnership available in the "Otter", a 30 ft. Monk-type 1959 wooden sedan cruiser with bridge. Fully equipped for cruising and well maintained. Longtime partner is moving. We split everything evenly. $7000 OBO. Berthed at Sidney-North Saanich Marina. Contact Cynthia or Howard at 250-658-3747.

Cleaning out the boathouse or basement? Found some nautical treasures that another boater can use. Take advantage of The Beacon’s economical advertising and call or e-mail your editor to place your FREE ad.


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Commanders Comments

First, I would like to wish all member’s of the Squadron and VISD a prosperous, happy and safe New Year, and good sailing with fair winds.

The Fall Boating course held it’s graduation on the 15th of January at the SNS Yacht Club. Twenty-seven passed with an average mark of 91.925%. Students, instructors and proctors have earned a Bravo Zulu for a job well done! District Commander Ken Clarke presented the graduation certificates, and in addition pledged 19 of the graduates as new members of the cps and the Squadron. The Squadron extends a warm welcome to the new members . I encourage you to become involved with squadron activities as early as possible. We always need volunteers to bring fresh ideas to the many areas we cover --- for example the Bridge, Phoning Team, Proctors, and the Boat Show just to name a few.

Our spring Boating course has started with 42 students in two classes – a 71% increase over the past three courses. Additionally, we are conducting a Marine Maintenance and a Weather course.

The Squadron Bridge organizes a number of events during the year for our members. I hope that you will show your appreciation by attending as many as possible.

~Ken Reeves, Commander


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Coming Events

 

FEB 3-4 Looking for an early Valentines gift for the skipper, visit the boat show at Pearkes Arena Victoria.

FEB 14 St. Valentine’s Day

FEB 15 Bridge meeting at SNSYC 19:30 hrs. All members encour aged to attend

FEB 27 Student Cruise Briefing at Parkland High School.

MAR 4 Spring Student Cruise

MAY 11-13 District AGM meeting at the Holiday Inn on Blanchard Street.

Rules . . . Continued from page 9

Last month one of the sales staff asked me to do a “Quick” inspection of what he termed “a mint” 24’ Sea Ray, being traded in. Everything went well until I sounded the port stringer. A dull thud told me to contact Alan of Total Boat Survey to do a more thorough inspection. The outcome was that the mint boat that our Sales Department was going to allow $15,000. for on trade, needed over $12,000. of hull repairs. The Salesman involved almost broke the #1 Rule of Boat Buying. A pretty boat is not always a sound boat. Hire a qualified and reputable professional to check the boat before you sign the cheque for the boat.

Rule #2 next time.

 

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