Scuttlebutt December 2011 - Fifty Point Yacht Club

ScuttlebuttCommodoreBrian Weberwebre@cogeco.ca(289) 235 9577SecretaryChristine Nixonmistapproach@gmail.com(905) 659-6634TreasurerMike Shawk.k.shaw@cogeco.ca(905) 257-0439SocialVern Lowevelowe@hotmail.com(905) 335-8858Director at LargeNick EhlertNick.ehlert@sympatico.ca(905) 945-0123CommunicationsPaul Charlespcharles@lara.on.ca(905) 547 MAST (6278)CruisingGary Vanderveldegaryvandervelde@royallapage.ca(905) 518-5223MembershipDoug Nixonmistapproach@gmail.com(905) 659-6634CruisingMarty Ticklemarty.tickle@ca.vesuvius.com(905) 945 6171RacingGarry CookeFpyc.racing@gmail.com(905) 317-0506If you would like to volunteer in any area please e-mail the director and let him or her know.The board is a small group and your participation in any way will be appreciated.2

ScuttlebuttBrian Weber, CommodoreDecember is always a busy month as we prepare for the holiday season.Hopefully, you are able to get together with your boating friends and enjoysome holiday cheer.Looking back on the year, we had some challenges to overcome. Fortunately, we were able to succeed.November 20th we held our Annual General Meeting. This year for the first time, we circulatedthe Directors reports in advance of the meeting. So if you missed them go back through youre-mails to find them. If you are unable to locate then, e-mail me for a copy.Under Paul Pelletier's guidance, we developed a budget in 2010 and followed up again in 2011.Vern Lowe has done a remarkable job in preparing the budgets and holding the Executive to it. Weare liquid and the financial report was part of the package referenced above.Unfortunately, Vern has decided to relinquish his role as treasurer, which is now being taken over byMike Shaw who we are happy to welcome to the board. We are indeed fortunate that Vern hasagreed to stay on the Executive and is assuming the role of Social Co-ordinator.There was a lengthy discussion at the AGM about making FPYC a working club. In other words,members would be required to work at events (racing, social, cruise captain or Officer of the Day).However, it was decided that more thought needs to go into the idea. Further, raising the awarenessabout the importance of working in your area of interest in order to see the club survive wouldhelp in 2012. It was understood that members need to support FPYC in order to maintain a healthyclub and not to encumber those who help out now.We still have a vacancy on the Board and it is hoped that we will get another Director to assist us.Your 2012 Executive is as follows:CommodoreTreasurerSecretaryCommunicationSocialCruisingRacingMembershipBrian WeberMike ShawChristine NixonPaul CharlesVern LoweMarty Tickle & Gary VanderveldeGarry Cooke & Nick EhlertDoug NixonWe would like to welcome our new members to the Board in Garry Cooke and Mike Shaw. Also,Paul Charles has announced that this is his last year to publish Scuttlebutt. It would be nice to getsomeone in the fold now so that we can maintain this excellent and informative monthly newsletter.Your FPYC Executive wishes you and your family a healthy Merry Christmas and a Happy NewYear.3

ScuttlebuttThe 2011 Annual General Meeting was well attended and very well run by Commodore Brian Weber.Brian reviewed each of the directors‟ reports and asked Treasurer Vern Lowe to present detailsof the financial results.Rob Howe attended and gave an update on happenings at the marina and spoke about the resultsof the survey he had done of boaters last year.Brian explained his plan for updating the membership fees in the interest of encouraging membersto pay on time each year. This was received well by the membership.And the last item was about ways to increase volunteer involvement in club events and activities.This discussionwas varied andthe issue will befurther researchedby theboard.Thanks also toRuby and Brianfor proving all thecoffee and goodies(especiallythe Nanaimobars!).Diane MacLean and Helena Pelletier talk aboutvisiting Lakeshore.Brian and Vern review thenumbers.Uncle Fred Kendall alwayscontributes to the discussionat the AGM.Ruby Weber , FirstLady of FPYCprovided the snacks!Always a smile fromJohn Hamilton!4

®Last month we said that we would be highlighting some income funds in the months to come. This month wediscuss the Dynamic Equity Income Fund.This fund was introduced in the middle of 2001 when stock markets and interest rates were in significant declineand investors were looking for a place to generate better returns. Income trusts were just coming on thescene and offering a significant improvement in yield over GICs or bonds.The fund‟s lead manager since inception is Oscar Belaiche. Oscar has over 29 years of experience with aproven track record of managing money with the goal of preserving assets while generating above averageincome.No income fund can produce risk-free returns, yet when measured against the S&PTSX, this fund has outperformedthat index (net of fees) and with lower volatility since its launch in June 2001.This fund pays a monthly distribution of 7cents per unit, yielding about 5.1% as at October 31, 2011.Here arethe performance numbers as at October 31, 2011Fund/indexYear-todate1 year 3 year 5 year 7 year 10 Year Since inceptionDynamic Equity Income Fund 5.9% 9.5% 15.6% 5.0% 8.4% 12.8% 12.7%S&PTSX Composite TR -6.9% -0.8% 11.1% 2.7% 7.5% 8.5% 9.2%Source: Morningstar October 31, 2011Call one of the Dundee advisors at 905-681-6329 or 1-800-561-6176 for more details about this fund.This article was prepared by Joe Lindo who is a Financial Advisor with Dundee Private Investors Inc., a DundeeWealth Inc. Company. This is not anofficial publication of Dundee Private Investors Inc. The views (including any recommendations) expressed in this article are those of the authorsalone, and they have not been approved by, and are not necessarily those of, Dundee Private Investors Inc.Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectusbefore investing. The indicated rate(s) of return is (are) the historical annual compounded total return(s) including changes in (share or units) valueand reinvestment of all (dividends or distributions) and does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxespayable by any security holder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performancemay not be repeated.5

ScuttlebuttAre you looking for a gift for that extra special sailor in your life? Radio controlled sailing is a wonderfulway to extend the season and learn to race without any of the scary parts of taking your bigboat out. The total cost of a kit and accessories is under $300 andwill provide hours and hours of enjoyment on the pond..Our seasongoes from thaw to freeze up so it is an excellent opportunity to getmore sailing into the year. Building help is always available.The boats are built from kits in a few days and are very affordable.For more information e-mail Paul Charles at pcharles@lara.on.caThe fleet approaches the start line6

ScuttlebuttImperial Airways inaugurated passengerand mail service between England andIndia, signalling the beginning of the endof ocean-liner service on that route.SAIL32' Endeavour-1976 new diesel ........... SOLD!................30' Hinterhoeller Redwing- 1968............................$19,900.POWER42' Kadey-Krogen Trawler 1977......REDUCED!......$148,900.twin diesel, pilothouse, fly-bridge 2 staterooms,Many upgrades, immaculate and ready to cruise.2005 Meridian 381 Sedan...beautiful yacht! REDUCED..$179,0001970 CC Connie...beautifully restored ..........SOLD!...............1996 Doral 300 SC ....immaculate . REDUCED.........$42,9002003 Sea Sport 2800WA...twin Merc I/O, hardtop, sleeps 4,galley, head, Radar, Autopilot, GPS Fishfinders, downriggersplaner...much more, tri-axle trailer............................$51,9002001 Doral 270 SC...low hours, mint...REDUCED!....$39,900.260 Caravelle- 2002 w/trailer..................................$29,000.1997 Regal 258 Commodore...Nice condition...........$24,900250 Rinker Express-2007...w/trailer, A/C..................$49,900.250 SeaRay DA - 1998...w/trailer.........SOLD!.....................Maxum 2400 SCR-2000...................SOLD!.......................25' Trojan Sea Raider. 1972.nice classic, great shape...offers...While at the Annual General Meetinglast month a member was talking to meabout Scuttlebutt and asked what happenedto her favourite column. She alwaysenjoyed “What‟s in a name?” andmissed it.I had to reply that I ran out of memberswho would share their stories so the columnwas dropped.But she was right, it is a great columnand we should get it going again. Sogive me your story - just point form willdo, I‟ll wordsmith it from there.How did your boat get named and whatis its history?Let me know at pcharles@lara.on.ca .7

ScuttlebuttConstruction has been underway for a few weeks now and should be finished by year end as theHamilton Conservation installs sewer connections from the bathroom buildings at D dock and Fdock. This will mean that the pump truck will no longer be necessary to empty the holding tanks atthese buildings and that the system will, shall we say, run more smoothly.But don‟t think the truck will be gone altogether as it will continue to service the campground and thebeach pavilion.While construction is underway you will not be able to access the main storage compound throughthe east walking gate.Inspecting a boat isn't always about hoses,clamps and wires. It's also about trust. The insidesof a boat reveal the personality of the boatand also of the owner. Lifting up the covers andfloorboards reveals upkeep, maintenance anddedication of the owners. Thanks to everyonewho trusted me with your boat this past year.Dennis8

ScuttlebuttDo you check your safety box each year to assure you are compliant with all the regulations? I do.And I do it in the fall and make notes as to what I need to buy at the boat show (as if I need justificationto go there every year!). At the same time I check out the old flares and decide which onesneed to be jettisoned based on the advice that old flares should be kept as backup until they are 10years old when they may become unstable. UNSTABLE! YIKES! Does that mean they may go offby themselves the way our auto-inflate lifejacket did last year? I‟m not sure but that‟s the generalrule.This past fall I picked out the old flares and headed off to the Hamilton Police Services Marine Unitlocated on Guise Street in Hamilton and was welcomed by Police Constable Jeff Hahn who gladlytook my old flares saying they might be used in training or, if not, would be disposed of by their tacticalsquad (would like to be there for that).As we chatted I suggested that these explosive devices were probably redundant these days as allboaters have a GPS, a VHF radio setup with DSC and a cell phone so wewould never need to set off a flare toidentify our emergency situation andlocation. In fact, I said, their danger onboard probably outweighed their usefulness.P.C. Hahn was incredulousthat I would make such a suggestion.The truth, apparently, is that very fewpeople can tell police or Coast Guardwhere they are at any given time andflares are still the best way for rescuersto find boaters in trouble. Amazing!So I suggest you check more than yourflares. Check to be sure your GPSworks, your VHF is set up for DSC, i.e.registered with Transport Canada andthat all persons aboard are familiar withhow these things work.9

ScuttlebuttGAMRU would like to thank all the boaters who took part in all of our fund raisers during 2011.The winners of the GAMRU 2011Raffle draw are:Eva Ryngi of Grimsby ($1,000)Paul Bubovich of Smithville ($600)Roger Bryant of Barrie ($400)GAMRU TV Auction Saturday Nov 19thGAMRU auctioned 333 items this year. They ranged from small items (coffee cups) to some ratherlarge and expensive items (Prints from Kathy Hagerman and child‟s bicycle).Another great success for GAMRU‟s fundraising efforts and great deals for the people who boughtthem.We would really like to start collecting items as early as possible for next years auction. If you haveitems that are new and you would like to donate them to a worthy cause, please consider GAMRU in2012.Mind your P's and Q'sIn the days of sail when sailors werepaid a pittance, seamen drank their alein taverns whose keepers were willingto extend credit until payday. Sincemany salts were illiterate, keepers kepta tally of pints and quarts consumed byeach sailor on a chalkboard behind thebar. Next to each person's name, amark was made under "P" for pint or"Q" for quart whenever a seaman orderedanother draught. Also, on payday,each seaman was liable for eachmark next to his name, so he wasforced to "mind his P's and Q's" or hewould get into financial trouble. To ensurean accurate count by unscrupulouskeepers, sailors had to keep theirwits and remain somewhat sober. Sobrietyusually ensured good behaviour,hence the meaning of "mind your P'sand Q's."10

ScuttlebuttRace Report, and surviving the winter monthsThe first Pub night for the winter season was well attended with about 24 people having a meal at the Judge &Jester and watching some slides of the Open 60 racing boat crossing the Atlantic. We are looking for moresuggestions for other nights throughout the winter months, so please let me know if you would like to presentsomething of interest, or if there is something you would like to see. We will be doing a review of racing rules(both the simplified and the more detailed rules) in the New Year prior to boat launching.In the world of racing, there seems to be lots happening at the moment. In the southern oceans where theyare moving into summer months, there are a number of races. The Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the WhitbreadAround the World Race) has arrived in South Africa. The fleet is smaller this year, due primarily to the worldeconomy, but also the fleet has been decimated by various technical issues, such as masts falling down! Andbow shell panels of boats breaking away! The rules governing the Volvo type boats were changed recently toprovide basically a minimum weight of hull in order to try and improve the amount of structural material in theboat, so that the designers would not under-design the boat to save weight. I suppose a few designers stillgot the equations wrong, since one boat had the forward hull delaminate and perforate, flooding the forwardsection of the boat. This happened within a few days of the start of the race. Two other boats have had mastscollapse, and the conditions were not as severe as might be expected in the upcoming legs in the SouthernOcean Roaring Forties. One boat is now taking refuge in Tristan De Cunha (the most isolated island in theworld) waiting for a rescue ship to carry her to Cape Town, in an attempt to get her to the start of Leg 2 of therace.The „Clipper-Venture‟ yachts are also in the Southern Ocean, in fact they have arrived in New Zealand on leg4 of their around the world race. This race, the brain child of Robin Knox-Johnston, is the „average man‟s‟race. There are ten identical yachts crewed by average peoplewho have paid for the experience. I actually looked intoparticipating in a portion of this race, but the time commitmentfor training as well as doing a leg or two of the racemeant I would be away from my family, and also my job, fartoo long. Their offshore training program is superb, however,but is only offered in the UK and I believe now Singapore.The famous or perhaps infamous Sydney-Hobart race willagain be sailed starting on Boxing Day. This race can bevery tough, and it was met with a disaster a couple yearsago when a storm developed and descended on the fleet asit was heading to Tasmania. The young girl sailor JessicaWatson (who sailed around the world) is also entering therace this year, with a young crew. I suppose she wants tofurther establish herself in the sailing world.So there are many events to keep your sailing interest overthe winter, and nearly all of them have details posted onwebsites, or snippets of upload videos on YouTube. SomeTV‟s now connect directly to the internet, and it is certainlymore comfortable watching YouTube on the larger sized TVscreen from your favorite arm-chair, rather than huddlingaround a computer monitor.11

ScuttlebuttAt the recent Annual General Meeting there was mention of burgees and their cost. It seems oursupply, which up to this point, seemed endless, is now getting low and we will need to be orderingnew ones.Many people wondered if we could get better quality burgees as our current ones seem to wear outawfully quickly. The bottom line is cost. Pay more, a lot more, and we can get sewn burgees thatwill last much better than the current silk screened versions.So what‟s a person to do? Pay three or four times the amount or perhaps take a little more care ofthe existing and encourage it to last longer.Here are a couple of suggestions to help makeyour club symbol look snappier a little longer. Put it away when not in use. Sounds obviousbut you don‟t need to fly your burgeewhen you are not aboard. Roll it into yoursail cover (for those of you with sails) ormake a simple cover for it to protect it onceit is rolled around its own mast. Wash it! Again, sounds simple but rain andwind will deposit dirt and grit which will wearthe fabric in time.Put it away in a dry place for the winter. Drywarm storage will make anything last longerso put it in one of the boxes going to thebasement for the off season.If all else fails call your membership directorand get a new one. $15 while they last!12

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ScuttlebuttBest wishes to Jess Duarte for a speedy recovery afterhis hip replacement operation. Jesse enduredmuch pain lastsummer but wasdetermined thatsurgery wouldn‟tinterrupt the seasonof sailing sohe held off untilNovember.With the surgerynow completeJesse is alreadytraining for sailingin the spring. Andhe looks forwardto getting back toFifty Point.Ron SmithHarbour Yachts Inc.99 Bronte Road,Harbourview Plaza, Suite 152Oakville ON L6L 3B7Tel: (905) 842-1111Email: harbouryachts@mac.comYacht SalesAppraisalsLiquidationsWe will deliver maximumvalue when selling, or purchasingyour special yachtJohn HaynesHarbour Yachts Inc.121 Shepherd's LandingMartin's PointMahone Bay, Nova Scotia, B0J 2E0Tel: (902) 299-0434Email: harbouryachts@eastlink.ca14

ScuttlebuttHalifax, N.S. – November 15, 2011Quick! What's on the back of the Canadian dime? If you have to look and see, we'll save you thetrouble. It's the world-famous wooden schooner Bluenose, the pride of Nova Scotia, and the fastestof her kind in the 20th century.But schooners aren‟t just a relic from a bygone era. In fact, there‟s a resurgence in wooden schoonerbuilding happening in Nova Scotia and the membership in the Nova Scotia Schooner Associationhas increased steadily during the past decade.Nova Scotia Schooners takes an in-depth look at these traditional vessels and explores what‟s involvedwith owning and maintaining a piece of living history. The documentary was filmed duringthe summer of 2011 and includes scenes from the Nova Scotia Schooner Association annual raceweek as well as the reconstruction of Bluenose II which is currently underway in Lunenburg.The film features four men from very different backgrounds who all share a passion for schoonersand who are each doing their part to keep these wooden vessels alive.Nova Scotia Schooners is written and directed by Tom Gallant and produced by Edward Peill fromHalifax-based Tell Tale Productions Inc.“This documentary demonstrates what happens when people come together around somethingthey find both important and beautiful” says director Tom Gallant. “It highlights one of our most significantCanadian cultural icons and underscores why these traditional skills need to be passed onto future generations. The beauty and grace of these schooners is captivating and I'll wager thatanyone with even a drop of salt water in their veins will love this film."Nova Scotia Schooners will be broadcast on CBC Television‟s Land & Sea on Sunday, December4, 2011 at 12 PM (check local listings). Following the broadcast, the documentary can be watchedon the CBC TV website at: www.cbc.ca/landandsea. Land & Sea is one of CBC‟s longest runningTV series and can be followed on Twitter: @cbclandandseaNova Scotia Schooners was produced in conjunction with CBC TV and with funding from Film NS,and Provincial and Federal tax credits.15

ScuttlebuttBEETROOT SALADINGREDIENTS: 1 x 250g pack of cooked vac-packed beetroots Balsamic vinegar ½ lemon A bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley 50g feta cheese Extra virgin olive oilPREPARATION: Grate the beetroot in the food processor. Removethe bowl from the processor, take out the grater attachmentand pour in a couple of lugs of balsamic vinegar and afew lugs of extra virgin olive oil.Squeeze in the juice of ½ a lemon. Finely chop a bunch ofparsley and add most of it. Stir to dress, then tip into a niceserving bowl. Scatter over the rest of the parsley. Crumbleover the feta. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and take to thetable.16

Scuttlebuttand www.fpyc.ca both offer members space to advertise nautical items for sale.e-mail it to Paul Charles at pcharles@lara.on.ca .“ Head-O-Matic Tankette Saves MarineMarriages”Ideal His or Her Christmas GiftAn ideal marine gift, that will be unexpected, yetmake your boating & cruising so much morecomfortable, is this proven, adjustable, Head-O-Matic Tankette unit.Many tens of thousands of Tankettes are in use globally. It easily installs in the intake line to thehead in minutes!Every Flush is automatically treated, with the exact amount of head chemical…no more guessinghow much head chemical or when to add.No more “Rotten Egg” odour on a Friday evening. The entire head system, from the through hull fittingthrough to head, hoses and holding tank, are always now in pristine, odour free, condition.No more blue seen in the head…simply pop another convenientHead-O-Matic bullet into the unit.Each bullet will last up to amonth.6 pack of convenient Head-O-Matic bullets # 4105 MSR$51.45 last a typical season.Your Head-O-Matic Tankette #4106 MSR $72.05 can bemounted on any surface, anywhereconvenient, on the boat.Everyone in the boating familyare now happy. Availablethrough local marine storesand chandleries.Another, unique, ideal gift, Ecorated,boating product developedin Canada by the Natural Marinefolks.17

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ScuttlebuttWhen entering the channel to the club pay attentionto the buoys. They may not seem to make sensebut they mean business.At the eastern end of Toronto Island is one ofthe most relaxed yacht club on the lake.Queen City is a century old and used to bragabout the fact they had no rules - now youcannot ride your bike within the club grounds -reportedly to avoid hitting boaters whose attentionhad been diminished by the previousnight‟s party.The club offers FPYC a reciprocal althoughyou won‟t often get a response if you try tocall ahead. Just pull up to their visitors‟ dockwhich is located just to the left of the clubhouse.When you enter the luxurious oldclubhouse head to the office and you will besigned in there. Upstairs is a lovely restaurantand a veranda with the best view of Torontothat exists. A brandy on the verandalate on a summer‟s night is as good as it gets!For many years boaters avoided Queen Cityas the docks were all Mediterranean style(access to your boat over the bow only) butmany new fingers have been installed so access has much improved.Once you are settled at Queen City take a walk to the east of the club to where there is the mosteclectic selection of homes you may see in Ontario. They are the remnant of a cottage communityfrom early in the twentieth century that barely escaped the wrath of a Toronto city council whowanted to expropriate all of them for parklands.Their fate was in limbo for years as the argumentswent back and forth so their maintenancesometimes went lacking, however, since the landissue has now been settled the homes are beingrenovated and enlarged at a great rate.The streets are no more than ten feet wide andthe gardens are sometimes overgrown but theyall are worth the walk. And don‟t forget to go asfar east as possible to see a fantastic gardenmaintained by one of the homeowners. It is atreasure.For a trip the other way the island is a cyclist‟sdream with wide well paved roads and no personalvehicles. You can ride all the way to Hanlon‟sPoint and check out the nude beach (nophotos please!) and stop on the way back foran ice cream at the pier.The new slips are well built and easy to navigateIf you stay a couple of days you can get theQCYC shuttle or the Ward‟s Island ferry to downtown Toronto where you'll find a liquor store and ahuge Loblaw‟s just a five minute walk from the dock.19

ScuttlebuttHappy Holidays and Hoping YouHave a Wonderful New Year!We hope that, 2012 will bring an exciting yearfull of happiness, love, health, peace, and newadventure.We will look forward to being a part yourboating experience.Sincerely,The Landing Management.We are now booking for special EventsFor more information about the Landing Restaurant & Banquets, please call at 289-649-1111or visit us at www.thelandingrestaurant-banquets.ca20