As is my habit, I get started with my articles long before the submission deadline. It has been very cold and blustery as of late. Much of this week and last, carried threats of drizzle. I long for the warm weather and gentle summer breezes with the sun going down as we ghost into the slip. Last month I told readers that Cissy and I are in France during Opening Day. When you read this, we will have returned and will have heard all the gossip and hear about how much fun we missed. We have always enjoyed this very special event and regret missing it. I know that the fleet will have showed colors and represented our club well.
By now, I trust you have all heard that our fleet is now up to 27 boats! As I write, #25 and 59 are on their ways down from Vancouver and Seattle, respectively. I am hoping that they will arrive before I leave, but have instructed the delivery companies that they are to be off loaded at Koehler Kraft. I have passed the word to interested parties and hope that we are able to enjoy meeting a new fleet member or two, soon. I still can’t believe that after all these years, these boats still set the pace for a lovely day sailing and racing yacht. Past owners and sellers I speak with, still tell story after story about “their favorite PC sail”. Just as the Herrschoff S-Class boats have been restored to sail second and third lives,
the PC Fleet lives on and grows!
Racing buffs of the fleet had a great day during the April 7th races. Six boats were at the line for 4 races! It will come as a surprise that a new comer named Sutphen did well. Troy Sears pulled out one “1st”. Lee Estep pulled a “2nd”in one race, as did Troy in another. It was good to see that our past fleet
captain (and well known race-a-holic) Dick Stratton (#18) was on the water after a needed “band-aid” was put in place by the Driscoll Yard. Dick and his crew pulled one “2nd”. Welcome back, Dick et al! I would be remiss if I did not give very special thanks to our club for making available a GREAT race committee headed up by Bob Shinn and his boat ANDANTE. With the help of Karen Butler and others, Bob and his crew did a terrific job for our fleet and the Stars. Of special notice was the nearness of the course, which resulted in no need for towing and more time racing instead of getting to and from the course! I also want to acknowledge Jeff Johnson, Chuck Driscoll and the group that made this all happen. The entire fleet wants all of the above to know that we VERY MUCH APPRECIATE all your efforts and this great day of racing was the proof!
The WINGS restoration is making strong progress. MAS Epoxy (Phoenix Resins, Inc. Cinnaminson, NJ.) has been very generous in donating materials toward the project and I have heard from other vendors as well. Having met with Paul and Tom Kettenburg recently, we have determined that we are still lacking a few of the 1930-40’s Merriman blocks for the running rigging. As I have in the past, I ask all members to look in their garage and/or secret storage place to see if you have hardware that might be helpful. Remember that donations to the San Diego Maritime Museum are tax deductible and the museum will acknowledge your gift. Your cash donation will help pay for pieces that we might need to have fabricated or purchase from collectors.
While I am on the pulpit about “gifts”… have you ever noticed what a gift our San Diego Maritime Museum is to us? Those of you who aren’t members should consider joining. As a member, you will enjoy “special exhibitions”, visits to the vessels, invitations to parties and special events, and all for a
very minimal basic membership donation. If you have passed this one up, you are missing something special! Please support our fine museum!
Well, the sun is going down. I am now just a few hours away from the Mainsheet “deadline”, so I will sign off. To all the “tar’s” in the fleet, I wish you fair winds!
Rish Pavelec
PC #63