Journeys

Many of us have had problems with our vessels while underway. Sometimes we've made the repairs ourselves; sometimes we've had help making the repairs; and sometimes we've been towed in. None of us, however, have had the experience we heard about at a recent Fridays at Five.

A record number of Club members were present February 7th to hear Robin Davie, formerly of Cornwall, England, speak of his adventures sailing around the world. Robin has participated twice in the BOC Challenge, which requires skippers to sail single-handed from Charleston, SC, to Charleston, SC, via South Africa, Australia, and Uruguay. The highlight (?) of Robin's second race came as he approached Cape Horn.

He was napping at 3:00 AM when a combination of wind gust and wave snapped his mast, leaving him in a precarious position 2500 miles from the closest marina. He managed to fashion a jury rig of spinnaker poles, spare halyards, and jib and stay sails and sailed on to the Falkland Islands where he get a new mast.

Although not quite as dramatic as Robin's adventures, BYC members are making and reporting on their own trips. Marlene Bolster discussed her Vic-Maui races on February 21st. Steve Moore led a discussion of fishing adventures on the 28th.

Frank and Chance Earle are "Cruizin' the Ditch" this year. In case you didn't know, that means traveling on the Intracoastal Waterway which goes from Texas to Maine in (usually) protected waterways. They've sent me an account of their first several weeks via e-mail, which I will print and post somewhere at the Club. If you'd like to have an e-mail version, send a note to steve.ross@wwu.edu and I'll forward their comments.

BYC members are also being recognized for their efforts. Marlene's boat, Kismet, was awarded the "Outstanding Performance" award for 1996 by 48° North Magazine. Another of our sailors, Bob Warner on Jamoca, placed in the magazine's Can-Am Top Five for 1996. Many of Bob's crew are also BYC members. And, as reported last month, Dick, Jeanette, and Tiffany Wells were recognized as the 1996 Boating Family of the Year for the North region.

Our Club continues on its own journey. At the February Board meeting, we voted on remodeling plans and a new job description for our office staff person. I'm writing this before the Board meeting, so I can't tell you exactly what we decided, but come to Fridays at Five on March 7 for a full discussion.

Also, last month I mentioned that we are in the final stages of negotiations with the Port for dock space. I expected to hear from members whether they thought that was a good idea or not, but very few said anything. If you'd like to know more, ask me or any Board member; better yet, come to Fridays at Five on March 7.