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Heavy Weather Web Seminar for Sailors
Most of the time, Southern California seas are as calm as a cucumber, but even we can be caught by surprise out there in heavy weather situations.

Incoming storms are reasonably predictable here, but high pressure building up over the desert can quickly whip up fierce Santa Ana winds, or an event far out in the Pacific can deliver some unwelcome high seas.

Nobody intentionally goes out expecting heavy weather, but what are some best sailing practices if you're out there and you get caught red-handed?

Join Captain Marty Fogel on your Personal Computer on Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. as he gives you essential tips on how to maneuver through heavy weather in this must see web seminar for Southern California blue-water sailors.

Bucking The Downturn With Innovative Marine Solutions
With so many marine businesses closing and others tightening their belts, it's refreshing to find that two local entrepreneurs have discovered a unique niche in the San Diego Boating Community:

Until recently, P. K. Mayers, long time San Diego ABYC certified yacht technician, and Dave Sudhalter, 30 year auto & marine service veteran found themselves working together at the local Sea Ray dealership.

When a customer's vessel was stolen from its marina slip and substantially damaged, P K and Dave noted that while most cars, even inexpensive ones, are manufactured with security systems standard, most yacht builders don't offer security systems as a standard or even an option.

With so many San Diego boat owners living out of town and other locales or unable to visit their boats regularly, many customers expressed concern over their vessels' security, it was an opportunity to find a way to enable boat owners to monitor their vessels from anywhere in the world and regain peace of mind.

So P. K. and Dave formed First Watch Marine, an exclusive dealership for marine grade security & monitoring systems. With their systems, If any number of different security or safety problems arise on the boat, a call from the system to their cell phone or an e-mail alert makes them aware immediately so they can take quick action.

Security alerts from the systems range from bilge water level alarms to on-board intruder warnings. Tied in with GPS, an owner can even be alerted if the vessel is being moved out it's slip.

The new company also specializes in the installation of customized marine solar power systems and service & repairs of all onboard systems. Their offices are located at the Kona Kai Marina on Shelter Island. For more information, visit www.firstwatchmarine.com or call 619.916.1730.

Glorious Glorietta!
- By Frank Mowry
There is an anchorage just south of Coronado Island that affords the mariner beautiful vistas, fun, and a quiet safe haven.

Glorietta Bay anchorage is located between the municipal golf course on the east, the Coronado Yacht Club on the North, and the Village of Coronado municipal building on the West. Only minutes away from bustling downtown San Diego, the anchorage conveys a feeling of being away from it all.

To anchor overnight requires permission from the San Diego Harbor Police mooring office (619-686-6227). If granted, you may anchor for up to three nights. During the spring and summer holiday weekends the anchorage is usually full, so call early. The Harbor Police check the boats in the anchorage each morning and evening. (Yes they do!)

Coming from North Bay, Glorietta Bay is accessed by turning to starboard after clearing the bridge supports, taking care to keep the red buoy on your right. The depth here is quite shallow, and if one attempts to shortcut this turn there is a chance you'll drag your keel or worse. I've seen 3 to 4 feet on my depth sounder when not being attentive to the red buoy in this area.

After the turn, with the Seal Base on your left and the golf course on your right, you proceed until you encounter the yellow buoys delineating the Glorietta Bay anchorage. On weekdays and non-holiday weekends usually from 4 to 8 boats are at anchor all swinging to wind. I've not seen a boat in this anchorage with a stern anchor deployed. Best to pay attention to the tides when picking your spot and drop a fair distance from the sloping beach which leads to the golf course. On one occasion I anchored close to the beach at high tide only to awaken in the early morning to the irritating sound of my rudder strap on sand.

Once you're comfortable about your anchor staying put, you can direct your attention to doing nothing in beautiful surroundings, touring the area in the dinghy, or going ashore.

We get a kick out of tying up at the municipal dinghy dock located west of the anchorage and south of the municipal buildings and walking the streets of Coronado.

The village is always pleasant with many good restaurants with the sidewalk venues. In that regard I must observe that the Rhinoceros has the best grilled cheese sandwich on the planet! We enjoy visiting the shops up and down Orange Avenue the main thoroughfare, and don't miss the shops and good restaurants at the Coronado Ferry Landing.

I'm writing this on the vast veranda of the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan. A beautiful structure in a magnificent setting with impeccable service. That said, the Hotel Del Coronado is second to none. The Del has panache, a swagger, an exciting personality and setting hard for the other dowager institutions to match. The mariner anchored in Glorietta Bay can view her to the advantage as her appearance is changed by the time of the day. The sailor can also take full advantage of the fine restaurants, shops, and the views of Coronado's world class beach The Hotel Del affords.

Alright - so this isn't exactly roughing it at anchor in the some bucolic setting, but guys, you got any idea how many goodie points you collect form your mate after a couple of days and nights anchored in Glorietta Bay? Think about it!

Editor's Note: Frank and Martha Mowry have enjoyed cruising southern California waters for 10 years aboard their 42' Island Packet sloop. They are members of the Southwestern Yacht Club. Click Here to send Frank an e-mail.

Boat Flu Season Is Here - Is Your Boat Protected?
- By Richard Benscoter

If you live in Milwaukee (and we do have Blue Sky News readers living there), you most likely have already gone through the yearly ritual of decommissioning your boat and covering it for the winter.

During this cold weather annual rite of passage, a boat owner goes through their check list to ensure all is in order for the winter, and then reverses the process in the spring.

We don't get freezing weather here, so there's a temptation to let your boat sit for months on end during the winter, but that can create expensive problems much worse than our Northern brethren can experience next spring.

Since I don't like things breaking and spending the boat bucks to fix them, I devised this twice annual check list for warm climate boaters. (For those of you who don't know, a "Boat Buck" is $100.00):

• Check the water in unsealed batteries (Use only distilled water; tap water is a battery death sentence)

• Wax and polish (Like a clean car - it just runs better, and the cure will cost you many boat bucks)

• Check dock lines (The wind does blow and we do get surges - you don't want to accidentally re-engineer your neighbor's boat)

• Check transmission ( If is uses AFT and is not a red color - change it - check your manual to make sure what to use)

• Lubricate seacocks (If you haven't done this yourself before - get professional help the first time, please.)

• Change zincs (Don't forget the engine and gen set zincs)

• Replace raw water impeller (Do this once a year - if a piece is missing, don't stop until you find it or overheating could occur)

• Drain and fill water tanks (Water does have a shelf-life)

• Lubricate control cables (Check manufacturer's instructions)

• Check flare dates (If they expire within 6 months replace them - Don't buy new flares unless they have an expiration date greater than a year)

• Check fire extinguishers (Annual weighing is required anyway)

• Lubricate winches (If you haven't done this before get help from a professional or old salt)

• Standing rigging clevis pins (Check for cracks and disfigurement - replace if either is found)

• Inspect packing glands (Follow manufacturer's instructions - Get professional help if you haven't worked with packing glands before)

• Check all hose clamps (Look at thru hulls, engine hoses - replace if seriously rusted - remember to double clamp all fittings - good insurance if one fails)

• Check engine oil and coolant (Change both - remember acids build up in oil all summer and coolant breaks down and might not protect your engine from overheating)

• Check bilge pumps (Do they work?)

• Check anchor, shackle and windlass

• Check any propane tank and lines (leaks are very bad as propane is heavier then air and will go to your bilge)

• Check standing rigging (Look for large amounts of rust and cracks and broken wires)

• Check running rigging (Soak in clean water with fabric softener to get the salt out)

See you on the water!

Editor's Note: Richard Benscoter is a long time avid sailor. He's a member of the Silver Gate Yacht Club and owner of the Mariners Woodshop. If you have a sailing question for Richard, send e-mail to richard@BlueSkyNews.com.