I can hardly believe my eyes - our harbor reconfiguration is nearly complete!  I think it’s now safe to say that we’ll finish this project ahead of schedule and almost exactly on budget. The major moves and installations have been completed.  We now have 11 new 38 foot downwind slips on Pier Five and 13 new 44 foot upwind slips on Pier Six.  All of these new slips should be available for occupancy during the first week of April and Craig has begun contacting members on the slip waiting list.  The County’s certification of our new electrical meters may take a few extra days; however, I doubt that anyone will object to a few days of free electricity. When you look at Pier Six, you’ll see that the central walkway has been re-decked (finally). This huge effort was accomplished thanks to several members who volunteered their time, sweat, and backs for the Club's benefit.  Please see Len Cardoza’s SeaScape article for more details. We also are replacing three fingers on Pier Six and five fingers on Pier Seven as a part of our Reconfiguration Project. When all the boats on these two piers were moved, we saw that some of these fingers should have been replaced years ago.  What’s next for our harbor?   Your Board of Directors has approved a long-term (fourteen years) Harbor Plan that maps out the amount of money that we must set aside each year to rebuild our entire harbor with little or no resulting debt. This completed Reconfiguration Project is the first phase of that long-term Harbor Plan. 

Your Board also has approved offering an incentive to prospective members that gives them half off their initiation fee and free slip fees for the first month. This offer will expire on June 1 and applies to any size slip. If you know anyone who may want to join our great yacht club, they should contact Craig as soon as possible.  Lastly, as a result of the harbor’s reconfiguration, we have a few vacant 42’ to 44’ slips. If you have a boat that is between 39 and 45 feet and are interested, please contact Craig.  

Of Lines, Knots and Splices . . . Or, So You Think You’re a Mariner? 
 

I’ll come back to that title in a minute, but first I want to make a couple of comments about Diana Jessie’s session at the OYC last month.  If you were able to attend the program, you saw a master presenter at work.  Diana gave a lot of very practical information about cruising.  And, she did so with plenty of personal illustrations and appropriate humor.  She has the ability to draw upon her extensive experiences without sounding like she knows it all . . . even though I cannot imagine anyone knowing more about cruising for women than Diana Jessie does.  And, she knows how to conduct a session.  While the program was for women, six of the 19 attendees were men (including me).  Diana did a great job of defining the ground rules at the beginning to assure that we males did not butt in too much.  I asked her to bring some copies of her book, The Cruising Woman’s Advisor (second edition), thinking people might want to buy one.  Several individuals did, and Diana signed them.  If you want to get a copy of the book, Merilee Shaffer has them over at her Waypoint charts, books and electronics store on Clement Avenue.  Turn in at Gate7 and go to Building 24.  Or, you can order one-line at www.waypoints.com/ 
 

Now, back to the question in the title.  Some acquaintances of mine think that, if you cannot tie 10 or 12 basic knots and do some splicing, you really cannot claim to be a mariner.  Whether you agree with that or not, some knots are necessary for the efficient and safe handling of boats.  And, there also is the matter of looking good.  Some of the contortions of lines you occasionally see when you walk the docks are flat out embarrassing (at other docks, of course). 

I am sure you can tie a square knot and a clove hitch.  And, you no doubt use half-hitches all the time.  How about a buntline hitch or a sheet bend . . . or a becket hitch? Chapman lists 19 different knots in the chapter on lines, knots and splices . . . I’ve never heard of some of them.  But, one we all know is the bowline. Chapman claims that this is the most useful knot you can use on a boat.  I don’t doubt it, and I have tied it thousands of times.  But, I still get it wrong now and then.  “Let’s see.  The rabbit goes around the bush and into the hole,” or how does that go?    
 

And then there is splicing.  Another time-honored way to make a loop in the end of a line is an “eye splice.”  If you can do that your credentials as a seafarer are pretty solid.  If you cannot, you can learn how on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon, in the Regatta Room.  OYC member Larry Zabel has arranged for a couple of riggers from West Marine to come over and teach us how to make different kinds of splices in double-braid and three strand lines.  This will be a hands-on workshop. The riggers will provide the line and needed instructions.  You do the rest. There is no charge, but there will be a limit of 15 participants so we are requesting pre-registrations. You can sign up at the office, or by phone (510-522-6868) or email (cwong@oaklandyachtclub.com).    

So come out on April 12 and get smart about splicing.  It is a useful skill, and it adds considerably to your bragging rights.   

One other thing.  The USCG Auxiliary will conduct vessel safety checks at the Club on Sunday morning, April 13. The announcement in this issue of the Seascape provides the details. 

There is light at the end of the reconfiguration tunnel and it is not a train heading towards us!  I am delighted to report that the project to reconfigure Docks 5, 6, and 7 is over 90% complete.  Western Dock Enterprises is the general contractor.  As previously reported, this is the first phase of a larger project to reconfigure the harbor for increased safety and efficiency.  The goal of the project is maximum utilization of OYC harbor property.  The reconfiguration will result in fewer small berths and additional larger berths to match member demographics and accommodate vessels currently on the waiting list.   

Docks 5, 6 and 7 are complete, except for electrical work on Dock 6.  Utility pedestals and electrical meters have been received (one pedestal top was damaged during transit and the manufacturer notified accordingly).  Electrical work, including the installation of the utility pedestals, continues.  Safety railings for the landings on Docks 6 &7 are also complete, including end caps. 

OYC staff and members noted during the moving of the docks that several existing (old) fingers on Docks 6 & 7 were unstable.   Apparently the boats were holding the dock fingers in place with their dock lines, rather than the other way around!  The Harbor Committee recommended and OYC Board of Directors approved a contract mod to install an additional finger on the west side of Dock 6 to create a new berth and the replacement of unstable fingers on Docks 6 and 7 during meetings in March.  The contractor is working on the new fingers for Docks 6 &7, anticipating installation during the week of 3/31. 

USCG Auxiliary to Conduct Vessel Safety Checks 
 

On Sunday morning, April 13, from 8:30 to around noon, members of the USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 12-2, will be on hand to conduct vessel safety checks at the Club.  If you berth your boat next door, at Marina Village, the inspectors can do it there also. 

As you probably know, a check involves one or two examiners going on board to look at things like fire extinguishers, distress signals, personal floatation devices, etc.  This gives you a risk-free way to see how your boat and equipment stack up against state and federal regulations.  No citations, just good information from friendly experts.  The check assures you that you have the stuff needed for safe boat operation.   Each one takes about 20 minutes or so.  If you would like one for your boat, let the OYC office know.  We will keep a schedule of appointments.     

OYC RETURNS TO THE DELTA YACHT CLUB!

Save the dates of August 18 through August 22 for a fun filled stay at the Delta Yacht Club, located on the San Joaquin River at channel marker 16.

DYC offers a great clubhouse, full galley, a patio area with 8 large BBQs, restroom and shower facilities, 1200 feet of dock space, ample 30 amp connections on five acres on Tule Island.

Bring your friends, kids, grandkids for swimming, bocce ball, horseshoes and a 9-hole putt & play.

Planning is just beginning –more information will follow – just save the dates!

Check out DYC web site at www.deltayachtclub.org

Roger & Mona Elliott

rjelliott@frontiernet.net