As you all know, we recently lost our friend and supporter, Jean Sutphen. I know that beyond swimming, sailing and volunteer work, Jean’s greatest skill and gift was to smile and wave good bye for some 54 years, as Jack said “I’m going sailing, honey… I’ll be back later.” I know that Jean is up in heaven and after a few laps in the pool; she will be getting ready for a Sunday ride in the Mustang. Someday if I make it up there, I will ask if I can sit in the back seat for a spin along the banks of the waterways she knew and loved. Like all of you I will, until then, miss her.
While “June Gloom” is upon us, we did have a few days of sun in May. I have been busy preparing for this year’s Wooden Boat Festival, which will be over by the time you read this. Like last year, I am sure it will be a success and great event. Last week Cissy and I attended the members meeting at the San Diego Maritime Museum to hear Dr. Iris Engstrand speak about the history of the SDYC. It was a great lecture and we had the opportunity to hear the details about many photos in her book. To those of you who have not yet joined the museum, I strongly encourage you to do so. A $40.00/year “Family” membership enables you to visit their collection as often as you wish and taking out of town guests to the Star or Berkley is ALWAYS a hit. Like the SD Art Museum and Zoo, the Maritime Museum is worthy of our support.
May 12 brought the Ancient Mariners Regatta. Five of us made it out to the start line to represent the fleet. It was a great regatta and fun party to follow. My thanks to the AMSS and, our neighbor, the SWYC for providing the committee boat and marks. The AMSS also sponsored today’s annual Kettenburg Regatta. Along with many other fine K boats in a group, we had 9 PCs!! Congratulations to award winners Jack, Gene, Bud, and Captain. Dave Grundies. We all had a terrific day on the water for this fun race. Being in a group is the best part of all!!! I also saw hull #48 go out last week. It is good to see her in the wind and I look forward to seeing her out with us on the beautiful summer weekends we are about to experience.
Jack Sutphen recently gave me the number of a contact in Hawaii who has hull #74. The boat is for sale. I called the yard where the vessel is and learned some of the details. In addition to the entire hill having been covered with fiberglass, the cost of getting her here will probably be prohibitive. I think the task of removing the glass without destroying the planking is an impossibility. The conditions in the islands are such that wood rot is probably a significant problem. I will ask the yard to send me a photo and fill you in next month.
The WINGS Restoration project is moving along. I have received calls from people offering too give up old photos and much of that hardware which has been taking up space in the garage. Thanks to Joe Gann and Troy Sears for contributing some old pieces. I am looking for a 1930’s Merriman catalog in an effort to “remind” us of what pieces might have been used on the vessel when she was launched. One of my contacts from Wooden Boat Magazine tells me that they do have a catalog locked in their “vault”. I am working on how I might get access to it. Club member Drusilla Grubb has offered to assist with “public announcements”, for the WINGS project, via various news sources. The poster I have referenced in past articles will be available for viewing at the Wooden Boat Festival in June, and, afterward, will be displayed at the Maritime Museum and other prominent places throughout the city during the restoration.
Until next month, I wish you all GREAT sailing!
Rish Pavelec
PC #63