Here we are into April already! March continued to bring us mostly rain and clouds. I have been reading the paper and see that San Diego has had more rain than in the past 19 years. The proof is in the number of downed trees, mudslides and swollen lakes and reservoirs. I still see ground water running out of hillsides where the earth is full and the water table is high. I am told that this month will be much of the same and then taking us into May, which may well offer the same early “June Gloom” that we experienced last year. I am about ready for some sun and that warm summer weather we all love.
By the time you read this, our club’s “Opening Day” will be just around the corner. I hope you will all have your boats uncovered and will dress ship in order to show off for fellow members. In advance, and on behalf of the fleet, I will thank our club officers and staff for making our annual “Opening Day” so special and such a good party! The race schedule for April will bring the annual “Opening Day” race and then the One Designs on April 24th. Please mark your calendars.
The March meeting of the San Diego Ancient Mainers Sailing Society was the usual terrific event. PC fleet member and Maritime Attorney, Doug Holthaus offered a very interesting discussion on Yacht Insurance. Doug’s panel consisted of another attorney, SDYC Member Graham Kelly and experienced yacht insurance broker Scott Jarvie of Overseas Marine Insurance. Of course, PC skipper George Lindley was in the audience to help with questions as well. I confess that by the time the meeting was over, I was ready to sell my boat, cars, house and move to Nepal with nothing more than a tent and maybe some beads. As Doug did, I encourage you all to carefully read your insurance policy and understand exactly what is covered, who is covered and under what circumstances. I am willing to bet that you will be surprised. The more you think about it, the uglier (and more expensive!) it gets. You might want to give this issue some thought. Past AMSS Commodore, Greg Stewart has given up his post after a few years of doing an excellent job. The new Commodore is SDYC Life Member, Pat Johnson. Again, I encourage all PC fleet members to attend a meeting and learn about what the AMSS has to offer.
Cissy and I were up in Santa Cruz last month and had occasion to see some beachfront and marinas. It is amazing to see that there is still so much beautiful shoreline in our great state. In a few days of this writing, we will head up to Berkley and, again, spend some time visiting the local clubs and marinas in that area. I always hope to stumble across one of the “missing” PCs on my history list. Perhaps this will be such a “get a way”! Hunting down boat yard and club is clearly one of the highlights of our trips. The people we meet are always gracious and we have yet to be turned away at a yacht club. With the guidance of Lynn and Ron Render (who shared their knowledge and information) we are trying to put together a trip to attend some of the many boat shows in France. Slowly but surely, Cissy and I are putting a plan together. I admit that I would be more encouraged to proceed if the Euro were more friendly (Ouch!) so I am watching the exchange rate carefully.
Last month, the fleet enjoyed a casual “fun” sail to the Coronado Yacht Club. Last years impressive grounding of several boats, lead to a minor change of the instructions. It was cloudy with a bit of a chill in the air, but several of our dedicated skippers were out there and enjoyed the day. I will ask the assistance of readers to help solve a problem. Charles LaDow’s history of the SDYC states that in 1950, Milt Wegeforth took “the new Charles E. Kelley Memorial trophy for the first PC to finish (PC ONEY).” I can find no other reference to a PC by this name. Past names for Wegeforth’s PC #27 are TRADEWIND, ZORRA, TRADEWIND II, PAULA and MAN-O-WAR. I am hoping that some of you might have a recollection of “ONEY” and tell me her proper hull number. I believe that Milt Wegeforth owned #27 and I believe she was named ZORRA in 1946, but am not convinced that this vessel was ONEY. As always, your assistance is appreciated in an effort to keep the PC Fleet History alive!
And for those of you still “on the fence”, PC #25 is for sale locally. I am enclosing a photo of the mast step. Note the special “markings” resting on the upper left of the step. These additions are NOT included in the sale price of the vessel.
In closing, I wish you all the best sailing that San Diego has to offer!
Rish Pavelec
PC # 16 DAWN