* Charlie Billings Rear Commodore

By the time you are reading this column, I hope we have a new "Resident Facility Manager" selected. It’s been a long process, but I think the end result will be worth the effort to do it right. The apartment is almost ready for occupancy, and I look forward to a successful transition from our "volunteer" force to the new Manager. I’m sure you’ll read more about this elsewhere in this Towline issue.

You may recall that once again the member work party hours for 2003-2004 are sixteen (16) hours. Your first opportunity to start getting your hours logged in (unless you’ve been working on the apartment renovation project) is the weekend of October 18 & 19. Our Work Party Chairman, Capt. Don Sherwood, has a sign-up sheet posted on the lounge bulletin board, so don’t forget to sign up. We’ll have several more work parties throughout the next seven months, but it’s always nice to get our time in early to avoid trying to come up with excuses at the end of the year, when one hasn’t logged in the required number of hours. The weather in the Fall is usually fairly nice; and, at Forty Bucks an hour, "doing the time" makes your wallet much happier…..as well as keeping the clubhouse, grounds and floats in better condition.

I have noticed more empty trailers and small sailboats appearing in the area south of the workshop, adjacent to the park. I invite you to read BYC Regulation H.2.c. For those of you not in compliance, please contact the Commodore or me ASAP, or remove the vehicle, boat and/or trailer ASAP.

As you may have noticed, it would appear our summer is fast disappearing, and Fall is knocking at the door. It’s a good time to check the lines and fenders on your boat; check the flotation, chains and standoffs on your boathouse as well as the lines and fenders inside, to ensure you are set for the weather that is sure to come after Fall. While you’re at it, top off your fuel to prevent condensation in your fuel tank(s) during the temperature extremes we get in Fall. Your boat’s engine will thank you when you use it later in the season.

If you’re a snowbird or find you will probably not be using your boat ovr the winter season, don'’t forget to remove perishables, take the batteries out of your flashlights and battery operated equipment, open cupboards and lockers for air circulation, clean the icebox or refrigerator with a solution of water and a little bleach to ensure you get germs and any odor causing bacteria, and leave the door ajar during the winter. To keep air circulating, consider using air driers, but stay away from fan operated electric heaters. They can burn out causing electrical short circuits and/or FIRE. It’s also a good idea to close all thru-hulls (but be sure to write yourself a note that you can attach to your engine key(s) to remind you to open them when you next use your boat). It’s also imperative, if you’re not going to be in the area, to ensure you have a club member or relative (if a non member, get written permission from the E-committee for his/her access) keep an eye on your boat while you’re gone. Give him/her a key to be able to check conditions inside, not just the exterior.

For the sailors among us, if you won’t be using your boat, remove the sails, take them home, and wash them to remove any salt (salt is hydroscopic and will keep the sail moist leading to mildew over the winter). While mildew doesn’t harm modern sail material, it is unsightly and lets everyone know you don’t know how to look after your boat. Once you’ve washed the sails, lay them out on the lawn to dry, and look for wear and tear (headboard, tack, clew, frayed stitching, bent rings, stretch marks, broken or missing battens, etc.) that can be repaired over the winter months so you’ll be ready in the Spring.

For the rest of us, I hope to see you out on the water during Fall, Winter, and Spring. After all, one of the benefits of living in the Puget Sound region is our ability to go boating all year long.

Charlie Billings
Rear Commodore