TSCA April:2013 - Traditional Small Craft Association
TSCA April:2013 - Traditional Small Craft Association
TSCA April:2013 - Traditional Small Craft Association
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
A Quarterly Newsletter Volume 10 Number 2 <strong>April</strong> <strong>2013</strong><br />
Noyo Row<br />
Page 1<br />
Albion Messabout<br />
Pages 2 & 3<br />
Boat-Builders’<br />
Corner<br />
Page 4 & 5<br />
Bringing Home<br />
the Gold<br />
Page 6 & 7<br />
Boats for sale<br />
Page 8<br />
Noyo Row<br />
by Sandra Kearney<br />
The few, the mighty, the rowers of<br />
February 9th.<br />
Got the call Sunday night and was<br />
delighted for the opportunity to row for<br />
the first time with Jim Swallow in the<br />
beautiful boat he crafted, a 20 ft. St.<br />
Lawrence river skiff.<br />
It was a gorgeous day so we expected to<br />
see the club out in force but the four of us<br />
enjoying the water and weather on the<br />
Noyo took it in and sent thoughts out to<br />
you all. The participants of the event<br />
were Sam Elufson, in his kayak, his wife<br />
Deb rowing her stealth pack boat, Stan<br />
in his single, and Jim with me in the<br />
back seat. Also, Dusty Dillion rowed the<br />
vice-mayor Meg Courtney and her<br />
husband – giving them a tour of the<br />
river and harbor. As always, Linda<br />
Dillion provided a great spread for the<br />
rowers.<br />
There was a small craft advisory but<br />
Stan and Jim needed to see for<br />
themselves, (is this news to anyone) so<br />
out we went. And back we came. Yup,<br />
they were right. There was an extra little<br />
thrill in a special version of bumper<br />
boats.<br />
So we headed up stream to catch up with<br />
Deb and Sam, who were much more<br />
trusting of the weather report. Not sure<br />
where Stan turned off but a few of us got<br />
farther up than we’d ever been. Passing<br />
the old logging railroad bridge and then<br />
some. It was lovely, serene and a<br />
pleasant temperature – in the sun. We<br />
did tend to push a bit to get out of the<br />
shadows and into the rays.<br />
It seemed like we got back to Dolphin<br />
Isle for lunch in record time – Horse to<br />
the trough, perhaps. It is handy, and a<br />
nice opportunity for a break, to have a<br />
restaurant in the middle of the river<br />
Graceful birds on the wing, the quiet of<br />
nature at work with itself and the<br />
enjoyment of others who are happy to<br />
mess about. We all made it back grinning<br />
and with a sigh of satisfaction at being<br />
able to do what we did. Get out and play.<br />
Row on!<br />
1<br />
Lost Coast News 32100 N. Harbor Dr. Fort Bragg, CA 707/964-2612 www.tsca.net/LostCoast
Albion River<br />
Messabout<br />
by Jim Swallow<br />
Insert above, Lee<br />
Caldwell under full sail<br />
A toast to Linda<br />
Dillion, although not<br />
present, in appreciation<br />
of her organizing and<br />
general hard work<br />
Remnants of the crab<br />
Les Waterman shared<br />
with all<br />
End of March is often windy and<br />
blustery. Sometimes showery, as well.<br />
Again this year, however, we had a crisp,<br />
clear, and a generally calm day on the<br />
river. It had been pretty windy for<br />
several days, but on the day of the row<br />
the winds died down and the skies were<br />
clear. As usual, Stan was at the ramp<br />
early to get everything arranged, start a<br />
fire, and see to it that everyone got into<br />
the water without mishap. This year, we<br />
were pleased to find that local<br />
management had made some sorely<br />
needed and well done improvements to<br />
the dock.<br />
Jim Blanton prepares to head out<br />
2
Wolfgang and Michael enjoy<br />
an easy glide up the river<br />
One of the cabins still afloat<br />
The Jacobsons with Lennie<br />
Five boats made their way up river at<br />
various rates. Although most rowed,<br />
Wolfgang Ronnefeldt with his friend<br />
Michael Stewart had a leisurely trip<br />
under power from a small electric motor.<br />
It looks like Dory Dan has abandoned his<br />
place on the river, so it is now slowly<br />
deteriorating and forlorn. The two small<br />
cabins up river another mile or so appear<br />
to still be occasionally occupied and<br />
maintained. The nearby “hermit’s cabin”<br />
has been dismantled. These wooden<br />
structures give the Albion a character<br />
that doesn't exist in any of the other local<br />
estuaries.<br />
After about a three mile row up river, we<br />
turned around and headed back, some<br />
taking a side trip into the lagoon. When a<br />
little breeze picked up, Lee Caldwell<br />
tried his hand at sailing. Upon arrival<br />
back at the ramp, we had our usual<br />
problem of making our way through the<br />
eel grass due to low water.<br />
Lennie begs to go... of course!<br />
The barbecue was great, as always, and<br />
we were honored by a visit from Les<br />
Waterman, who brought some delicious<br />
crab. Chris Halvorsen’s chili is always a<br />
hit, and there were the usual grilled<br />
sausages along with the rest of the usual<br />
fare.<br />
The Albion row is always a great event,<br />
with nice surroundings, usually a good<br />
turn-out, good weather, and an<br />
easygoing time on the water followed by<br />
a tasty barbecue in the presence of<br />
interesting folks.<br />
Lost Coast News 32100 N. Harbor Dr. Fort Bragg, CA 707/964-2612 www.tsca.net/LostCoast<br />
3
y Chris deFirmian<br />
I'm on my 5th boat with the kids at the<br />
continuation high school. They are<br />
challenging to work with, having a lot of<br />
peer pressure to act tough. It does feel<br />
good when you connect with them.<br />
Boat-building students at Tree of Life<br />
Montessori School<br />
I just finished a boat with an elementary<br />
school classroom in Ukiah last week, it<br />
was really fun to be around their<br />
enthusiasm. We met twice a week for a<br />
couple months, they made a nice boat.<br />
Student builder Danny Lieben said, “I<br />
never knew that building a boat would<br />
be such a long process. I also never knew<br />
that it would be so fun.”<br />
Donovan Partridge (left) and<br />
Jonathon Johnson with one of five<br />
boats scheduled for launching in June<br />
4
A New<br />
Doghole<br />
Dory<br />
by Ejler Hjorth-Westh<br />
The year is well underway, and a host of<br />
issues are piling up, finding their place in<br />
the calendar: Work, fishing, school,<br />
travel, and the <strong>2013</strong> boat building<br />
workshop. I have 5 or 6 students already,<br />
and it looks like the class is a go. So I am<br />
now looking for a buyer.<br />
If <strong>TSCA</strong> is interested, you know where to<br />
find me. I realize the annual general<br />
meeting has come and gone, and I regret<br />
being out late with this offer.<br />
The boat will be a version of the Doghole<br />
Dory, no surprise there. I will change the<br />
design in a few ways:<br />
She will be a more pure-bred rowboat<br />
LOA 20'<br />
Beam about 50" (6" narrower)<br />
1-2" lower freeboard<br />
A lot less sheer<br />
A little less weight<br />
Interior laid out for one or two rowers.<br />
A sea worthy, stable and beautiful boat,<br />
with floor boards, rudder and 2 sets of<br />
superb, hand-made oars.<br />
All woods are of highest quality:<br />
Okoume plywood, Honduras mahogany,<br />
airdry Appalacian white oak, Teak<br />
floorboards, the best air-dry local<br />
Douglas fir for the oars.<br />
She will be an excellent deal at $6,500.<br />
I think she will be sea-worthy for open<br />
ocean rowing, but certainly a little more<br />
wet in a surf launch.<br />
22' Pacific Dory built by the class of 2011.<br />
From left to right: Candice Groenke, DanWacker,<br />
Mollie Ferguson and Jennie Stevens<br />
These will be exciting discoveries.<br />
Lost Coast News 32100 N. Harbor Dr. Fort Bragg, CA 707/964-2612 www.tsca.net/LostCoast<br />
5
Stan & Jim<br />
“Bring Home<br />
Gold” from the<br />
Sausalito Open<br />
Water Rowing<br />
Regatta<br />
When the opportunity to participate in<br />
the 36th annual Open Ocean Regatta<br />
presented itself, Stan and I took it<br />
without hesitation. This was the fifth of<br />
these that we have done over the past<br />
seven years. Stan was part of the group<br />
that organized these in the first place and<br />
participated in many of them in the early<br />
years. He started rowing them again with<br />
me in 2007, after a long hiatus. Because of<br />
his old friendship with Stan and our<br />
traditional boat, Gordie Nash – the<br />
director of the event since it’s beginning –<br />
always gives us a big welcome and gives<br />
us a medal. I have usually called this “our<br />
geezer award” – the two old guys in the<br />
wooden boat. This year, however, we<br />
actually BEAT SOMEBODY and therefore<br />
EARNED a medal!<br />
The adventure started the day before,<br />
after we loaded gear and carefully lashed<br />
and trailered my 20ft. St. Lawrence River<br />
Skiff. The drive to San Francisco was as<br />
pleasant as driving through heavy traffic<br />
can be. Our trip started with a gorgeous<br />
morning drive through Anderson Valley,<br />
then we entered the river of cars and<br />
trucks that inexorably builds to a frantic<br />
crescendo as you make your way through<br />
the megalopolis. We managed to keep<br />
from getting too frenzied by driving all<br />
the way in the right lane at the towed<br />
vehicle speed limit of 55mph.<br />
6<br />
Stan’s son lives nearby in the southern<br />
end of Mill Valley, where Stan can spend<br />
the night with his two wonderful<br />
grandsons and we can park the boat<br />
overnight. I stay nearby in a motel. After<br />
parking the boat, we went into Sausalito<br />
where we dropped into the Open Water<br />
Rowing office for last-minute updates.<br />
We parked nearby and on our way to the<br />
office, we encountered “JoJo” – a tanned,<br />
buxom, cigarette-smoking<br />
fortysomething who was to be on the<br />
team of our main competitors in the race.<br />
She told us she brought her friend’s<br />
fiberglass whitehall double on a<br />
borrowed trailer and towed it with a<br />
borrowed Jeep. She told us her friend<br />
from Victoria, BC and her rowing<br />
partner, a young man from Hollywood,<br />
had just rowed the famous course from<br />
Marina Del Rey to Catalina Island.<br />
After a a big pasta dinner and a restful<br />
night, we awoke to one of those crisp,<br />
clear sunrises on the waterfront, and we<br />
were at the dock by 7am. Stan named the<br />
Victoria/Hollywood team with their<br />
sidekick “JoJo” as “the Hollywood<br />
team”. They were clearly the ones to<br />
beat. There was another fiberglass<br />
whitehall double rowed by another<br />
couple from Brittish Columbia, and<br />
rounding out the “traditional boat” class<br />
were a peapod, a Swampscot Dory, and a<br />
wooden shell.<br />
It’s about a half-mile row out to the<br />
starting line, about 100 yards off Sausalito<br />
“old town”, near the sea lion statue.<br />
<strong>Traditional</strong> boats started at 8:30. We were<br />
warned to be on the lookout for some<br />
swimmers who were going to be<br />
swimming across the Golden Gate while<br />
we were doing our row. We never saw<br />
any, but others apparently did. One even<br />
swam up to one of the rowers and held<br />
on for a rest, thanking him profusely.<br />
Stan and I were ready and wellpositioned<br />
to get off to a very good start.<br />
There was supposed to be a 2 knot flood<br />
through the Gate, but as we headed for<br />
Lyme Rock, we could feel that we were in<br />
some kind of ebb. The flood was still<br />
outside us when we rounded Lyme Rock,<br />
a good two minutes in front of “the<br />
Hollywood team”.<br />
We stayed in close to Lyme Rock,<br />
rounding just a boat length off the rocks.<br />
Dipping in a little, we were able to catch a<br />
bit of an ebb that the incoming tide<br />
makes in Ft. Baker Cove. The Hollywood<br />
team stayed well out and struggled with<br />
the incoming flood for the next twenty<br />
minutes, while we made way in the ebb<br />
inside, heading toward the building at<br />
the base of the north tower of the Golden<br />
Gate Bridge. Meanwhile, the sea<br />
conditions were flat and there was no<br />
appreciable wind.
The turn at the North Tower is<br />
exhilarating. First, there is the<br />
thundering power of the incessant traffic<br />
that goes over the bridge. Next, the bay<br />
starts to meet the Pacific at this point, and<br />
the conditions become more “open<br />
ocean” compared to the “open water” on<br />
the inside. As we approach, the sea waves<br />
crash on a concrete buttress at the base of<br />
the North Tower, where we must make a<br />
close turn and quickly dive into Kerby<br />
Cove in order to stay out of the incoming<br />
flood.<br />
Making a good turn, diving into Kerby<br />
Cove, and staying inside the tide line, we<br />
made good time to Pt. Diablo in the eddy<br />
of the cove. Gentle, rolling waves all the<br />
way presented no problems. Arriving at<br />
the buoy at Pt. Diablo, we made a wide<br />
turn that put us out into the incoming<br />
flood. We expected to catch the flood and<br />
stay about 100yds. south of the North<br />
Tower, and ride it in all the way to<br />
Belvedere Point. We were pleased to see<br />
that our superior rowing skills, better<br />
boat, and shrewd tactics had put us about<br />
five minutes ahead of the Hollywood<br />
team at this point.<br />
Then, without taking any breaks, we kept<br />
rowing to try and gain more distance. It’s<br />
a long stretch to Belvedere Point, and<br />
from a navigational standpoint requires<br />
attention. We return from Pt. Diablo to<br />
the bridge with Alcatraz at our backs,<br />
but after passing under it, a turn to the<br />
north is required to put Belvedere Point<br />
at our backs. This is about the time that<br />
the pain started. We took a couple brief<br />
breaks to maintain hydration, but were<br />
too competitive to let the Hollywood<br />
team catch up. By this time, the flood<br />
had slowed considerably and wasn’t<br />
giving us much of a push. At least it was<br />
still heading in the right direction and<br />
didn’t impede us. Through this region,<br />
the water was flat with occasional one<br />
or two foot undulations. This is the<br />
stretch where all the shells pass us, as<br />
they were held back for 15 min. to get us<br />
stretched out ahead. Since I was having<br />
trouble seeing the buoy we were<br />
heading for, I would follow each shell as<br />
it passed.<br />
By the time we got to the large green<br />
buoy at Belvedere Point, the Hollywood<br />
team had definitely trimmed our lead to<br />
about a minute. We made a nice turn<br />
around the buoy and headed for Cone<br />
Rock. Again, there was some<br />
navigational anxiety, as I couldn’t see it<br />
in my rear view mirror, but we were still<br />
Heading for the<br />
starting line<br />
Our heroes course<br />
(black) and alternate<br />
courses<br />
The “Hollywood team”<br />
being passed by the racers, so I<br />
maintained my previous successful<br />
strategy. This worked out well, and<br />
pretty soon, I was able to see my target,<br />
and we headed straight for it. Although<br />
we began making some headway<br />
against the Hollywood team, they<br />
weren’t far behind us. The other<br />
whitehall double, by the way, got left in<br />
the dust at the start and was too far<br />
back to be seen.<br />
That last mile to the finish is always<br />
pretty painful. It was no less this time,<br />
and especially since we hadn’t taken<br />
any breaks. We were tired and sore, but<br />
did our best to keep up the pace. In<br />
addition, we had to spot the finish line,<br />
steer around moored boats, and dodge<br />
pleasure boats speeding across our<br />
path. We kept at it, of course, and even<br />
tried to pull harder so we could widen<br />
our lead. Then, suddenly, the finish line<br />
was crossed. Gosh, it’s over. Wow!<br />
What an experience!!<br />
The row back was slow and easy. We<br />
picked up Stan’s grandson off the shore,<br />
who had come out with his dad to<br />
watch us finish. Grandson sat in the<br />
back and we rowed past paddle<br />
boarders, kayakers, and day sailers.<br />
Someone on a kayak shouted, “You look<br />
like a Norman Rockwell painting!” We<br />
took that as a compliment.<br />
As exhausted and exhilarated as we<br />
were, the rest of the day was a blur.<br />
There was the picnic barbecue, followed<br />
by the awards presentation. Although it<br />
was the same medal as before, this year<br />
I consider it a “real medal” since we<br />
actually beat someone (or two).<br />
Festivities were quick, and the boats<br />
were taken out of the water, loaded up,<br />
and everyone headed home after<br />
congratulating each other for their great<br />
effort. We took one last look back at the<br />
most beautiful city in the world and<br />
headed north, certain of a return<br />
performance in the future.<br />
Lost Coast News 32100 N. Harbor Dr. Fort Bragg, CA 707/964-2612 www.tsca.net/LostCoast<br />
7
e<br />
n<br />
2 sets of oars. Asking 800/OBO. Michael 707/367-1346<br />
•12 1/2 ft. fiberglass wherry with Barkley Sound spoon<br />
oars and trailer. Asking $2,500, call Dusty, 707/964-2612<br />
•18<br />
Boats<br />
ft. MacKenzie Clipper<br />
for<br />
Stern Canoe,<br />
Sale<br />
flat bottom<br />
freight canoe that holds 1500 lbs. 2hp Honda 4-stroke outboard,<br />
2 formed paddles and backrest. $2,000. Dusty,<br />
707/964-2612<br />
•68’ ft. Rowing Sailing Pram Pram by Dusty by Dusty and and Bob, Bob asking $1200. $1,500. See at<br />
It World’s can be viewed End Boatbuilding in Sportsmans Shop, Cannery Noyo Harbor. Shop in the<br />
harbor.<br />
Call Dusty:<br />
Call Dusty<br />
707-964-2612.<br />
964-2612 for details. Pictured below.<br />
8’ Sailing Pram by Dusty and Bob $1500.<br />
LOST Can COAST be seen <strong>TSCA</strong> at Sportsmans <strong>Traditional</strong> Cannery <strong>Small</strong> <strong>Craft</strong> Shop <strong>Association</strong>, in the harbor. established<br />
in Call 1970, Dusty is a nonprofit 707-964-2612. educational organization which works to preserve<br />
and continue the living traditions, skills lore and legends surrounding working<br />
and pleasure craft whose origins predate the marine gasoline engine. It<br />
encourages the design, construction and use of these boats, and it<br />
embraces seat and contemporary outriggers, one variants set of and 10' carbon adaptations fiber of oars. traditional Asking<br />
designs. $1,500 complete. <strong>TSCA</strong> is an Proceeds enjoyable go yet to the practical boat shop. link among users,<br />
designers, Call Dusty builders, 707-964-2612 restorers, historians, government, and maritime<br />
institutions. Join the Lost Coast Chapter of the <strong>TSCA</strong> - Be a<br />
part of this exciting organization. Increase your enjoyment of<br />
traditional boats and meet other community members who share your<br />
interest. Annual dues are $25. Copyright 2008 by the <strong>TSCA</strong>.<br />
16' double-ended open water shell with sliding<br />
Pres. Stan Halvorsen 707/357-0888 Sec/Treasure Linda Dillon 707/964-2612<br />
Community Outreach Dusty Dillon 707/964-2612<br />
Web Master Jim Swallow 707/937-0828 http://www.tsca.net/LostCoast<br />
International NEW 2012 Fireball Newsletter<br />
complete<br />
Editor<br />
with sails.<br />
Andy Jahn & Virginia MacIntosh 707.469.7432<br />
$2000 donation to Lost Coast <strong>TSCA</strong>. Call Dusty 707-964-2612<br />
Page 7<br />
<strong>2013</strong> Messabout Schedule<br />
All events start at 10 a.m. unless otherwise noted.<br />
Information: Dusty, 707/964-2612<br />
Stan, 707/357-0888<br />
May 18 Mendocino History Days, Kelly House Boat show,<br />
Bill Jacobson 707/937-2432<br />
June 23? Master Mariners in the Water Boat Show Corinthian<br />
YC, Tiburon<br />
July 6 Salmon BBQ/Row, Worlds’ End, Noyo<br />
July 27 Big River Row & Pot Luck at the Swallows<br />
August 10 Navarro River, launch at NE side of the bridge<br />
September 6-8 Port Townsend Wooden BoatFestival, anyone<br />
going?<br />
September 20-21 Blue Lake, Bill Jacobson 707/937-2432<br />
September 21 Coastal Clean-Up, Noyo River<br />
October 5 Albion River Row & Pot Luck<br />
November 16 <strong>TSCA</strong> Annual Mtg & Elections, Worlds End<br />
Let’s hear from you<br />
We’d like to hear your ideas.<br />
Send us your thoughts about past, present<br />
or future articles and/or photos & images<br />
you’d like to see included in the<br />
newsletter. Contact Andy:<br />
andyjahn@mac.com<br />
20’ Doghole dory<br />
See page 5.<br />
Ejler Hjorth-Westh: ejler@mcn.org<br />
8
Lost Coast <strong>TSCA</strong><br />
<strong>Traditional</strong> <strong>Small</strong> <strong>Craft</strong> <strong>Association</strong>, established in 1970, is a<br />
nonprofit educational organization which works to preserve<br />
and continue the living traditions, skills lore and legends<br />
surrounding working and pleasure craft whose origins<br />
predate the marine gasoline engine. It encourages the design,<br />
construction and use of these boats, and it embraces<br />
contemporary variants and adaptations of traditional designs.<br />
<strong>TSCA</strong> is an enjoyable yet practical link among users,<br />
designers, builders, restorers, historians, government, and<br />
maritime institutions. Join the Lost Coast Chapter of the<br />
<strong>TSCA</strong> (membership form below). Be a part of this exciting<br />
organization. Increase your enjoyment of traditional boats and<br />
meet other community members who share your interest.<br />
Annual dues are $25. Copyright 2008 by the <strong>TSCA</strong>.<br />
President Stan Halvorsen 707/357-0888<br />
Sec/Treasure Linda Dillon 707/964-2612<br />
Newsletter Andy Jahn/Virginia Macintosh 707/468-7432<br />
andyjahn@mac.com<br />
CommunityOutreach Dusty Dillon 707/964-2612<br />
Web Master Jim Swallow 707/937-0828<br />
http://www.tsca.net/LostCoast<br />
Lost Coast <strong>TSCA</strong><br />
32100 North Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg, CA. 95437<br />
If you are willing to receive your newsletter by e-mail only,<br />
please contact Linda Dillon at lostcoast1@saber.net<br />
I wish to:<br />
☐ Join<br />
☐ Renew<br />
Boat ownership not a requirement. If you own a boat,<br />
What kind?__________________________________________<br />
☐ Change of Address<br />
I/We desire the following annual membership:<br />
☐ Individual $25. ☐ Family $25.<br />
Family memberships qualify all members to participate in Lost<br />
Coast <strong>TSCA</strong> events.<br />
Don’t own a boat? No problem.. Join and row with a member<br />
that does. Join the fun.<br />
Checks should be written to Lost Coast <strong>TSCA</strong>.<br />
Name _________________________________________________<br />
Address ____________________________________________<br />
City________________________________________________<br />
State ______________________ Zip ___________________<br />
Phone ______________________ Email __________________<br />
Enclosed is my check for $ ____________<br />
I am also a member of the__________________________(if any)<br />
Chapter of the <strong>TSCA</strong><br />
I hold the Lost Coast <strong>TSCA</strong> harmless.<br />
Signature ___________________________________________<br />
Lost Coast News 32100 N. Harbor Dr. Fort Bragg, CA 707/964-2612 www.tsca.net/LostCoast<br />
9
Lost Coast <strong>TSCA</strong><br />
32100 North Harbor Drive<br />
Fort Bragg, CA 95437