Shelter Cove Marina July 2008 Newsletter

S.O.S. From The Galley
"The Devil is in the Details"
- By Monica Giobbi

Deviled eggs, or eggs mimosa, are a common dish in France and the United States. In Germany they call them "Russian Eggs", but they actually originated in Rome. The term "deviled" dates back to the 19th century referring to the use of hot spices in cooking.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make them, and they are always a big hit at dock parties.

Hard boil the eggs, then peel and slice them in half (lengthwise, of course). Gently pop out the yolks, and mix thoroughly in a bowl with the mayonnaise until creamy smooth. Add pinches of salt to taste (you can use the tried and true "finger test" for this) making sure you don't over salt.

Add curry powder and mix in thoroughly. Fill the egg halves with mixture - sprinkle a dash of paprika for garnish, and serve.

Serves 12, humm....maybe

Bon Appetito!

Monica is co-owner of BlueSkyNews.com, a professional meeting planner, and an avid cook with years of experience entertaining on board using the limited space of the galley. If you have a favorite boating recipe to share or ideas for future articles, send an e-mail to monica@blueskynews.com.

Down to the Wire
- By Brett Dingerson
Well, it's sad that the Kansas City BBQ went up in smoke in our town - another galley fire that got out of hand. It's not surprising the place went up like a match - with 25 years of grease and grime built up from the countless tons of smoked BBQ over the years.

Fortunately there were no injuries, but it's a reminder that people ashore can run outside when fire starts, but boat people unfortunately don't have that luxury.

That's the topic this month. Did you know that 95% of all boat fires that originate outside the galley have an electrical origin.

When electricity runs through a wire it generates heat. Marine electricians calculate the load an electrical device will consume, and then size the connecting wire accordingly to minimize the heat build-up and keep the voltage drop to a minimum.

But these calculations assume a perfect connection scenario, however, meaning that no corrosion or loose connections are factored in. If a connection is loose or corroded, it can generate enough heat to start a fire even if the circuit is protected by a circuit breaker.

Boats always have corrosion and loose connections, and I continue to stress the importance of inspecting your electrical systems on a regular basis. Take a good look around your engine compartment and observe how the big battery cable connections appear. Try to get familiar with your shore power system by looking at your shore cord connections from time to time.

Here's a short punch list of the likely suspects;

1. Turn off your shore power once a month at the dock circuit breaker; disconnect the cord, and look at each end. If any of the pins are black or charred replace the cord.
2. Look at the receptacle where your cord is plugged. If any part of the receptacle looks dark or black, contact your harbor master immediately for a replacement.
3. Look at the receptacle on your boat, and if it's dark or black on any of the pins, replace it immediately.
4. Look at your battery cables between your engine and batteries and give then a poke with your finger to make sure they're tight. Same goes for the alternator.

I know that electrical systems are pretty foreign to most folks, but it's a lot like learning to ride a bike. Trust me; a casual observer can spot an electrical problem - just look for colors that don't fit in at the connections. Green and black are not good electrical colors and are indicative of a compromised system.
Have fun out there!

Brett Dingerson Image Editor's Note: Brett Dingerson has over 25 years experience as a marine electrician, with a specialty in marine galvanic corrosion protection. He has worked with a wide range of sailing and power vessels and is the owner of San Diego-based Marine Electric. If you have an electrical question for Brett, send e-mail to brett@BlueSkyNews.com

Riverboat Soon to Move On
It has one of the finest downtown harbor views in San Diego, but since 2004, the Reuben E. Lee sternwheeler restaurant on Harbor Island has been closed.

Most people thought it was a real boat, but in fact it is a building built on a barge to look like a boat. It has no engines, and the paddle wheel is just for effect.

Owner Sunroad tried to donate it to the Maritime Museum at one point, but the museum said no thanks. Probably just as well because there was some concern about the ability to safely tow the flat bottomed barge across the bay.

Rumor also had it that environmental groups blocked attempts to remove the restaurant because it been casting a shadow underneath it since it was built in 1969, and they insisted that something else would have to be built to cast an equivalent shadow on the same spot.

The good news is that the San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has now approved a plan by Sunroad Harbor Island, Inc. for a $9 million renovation of the Reuben E. Lee site. The new design includes an outdoor area for events, plus bar and banquet facilities to be located on land next to the barge.

The new restaurant will be operated by partners David and Lesley Cohn and chef/partner Deborah Scott who have done such a terrific job with the adjacent C-Level and Island Prime restaurant on the same end of Harbor Island.

Construction is anticipated to begin late next year and should take about two years.

From the Fishing Deck
- By Jason Coz
Fishing off the San Diego coast in June was very good. Toward the end of the month we saw water temperatures in the low 70s.

The bass are biting, and the barracuda are attacking the sportfishing boats at times. I'm glad to report that the Yellowtail are showing up right on schedule, and the water is a beautiful ocean blue and clear over the kelp beds.

On our latest twilight trip we caught some Yellowtail up to 30 lbs. and we also landed a 30 lb. Halibut.

Should be some terrific fishing in July! Break a leg!

See you on the water!

Jason Coz is the owner/operator of the 85' M/V Dolphin half-day sportfishing boat operating out of Hyatt Mission Bay Sportfishing. Jason has his 100 ton captain's license and runs ½ day fishing trips twice a day, 7 days a week. If you have a question for Jason, you can e-mail him at jasoncoz1@msn.com

Secrets About Sails
- By Brad Poulos
Ah, summer sailing in San Diego. While summer is an ideal time for watching sunsets and rafting up with friends, it generally means light air (variable less than 10 knots) and slow downwind sailing.

When the wind lightens, a cruising asymmetrical spinnaker is the ideal sail to keep you sailing and not motoring to your next port. It delivers almost a much pulling power as full size spinnaker, yet it's so simple to use that it can be set, trimmed and lowered by one person.

The generic name for these sails is the asymmetrical pole-less cruising spinnaker. Needless to say every sailmaker has come up with a much shorter name. At UK-Halsey, we call this sail the Flasher because it makes downwind sailing fast and fun. The Flasher gives you the pulling power of a spinnaker, while its asymmetrical shape makes the sail easy sail to control. In fact you can even set it and sail with an auto pilot.

Sail handling is simplified by using a Stasher (a dousing sock) that encases the sail during sets and douses. When sailing, the sock sits on top of the sail bunched up like an accordion. The sock does the work of several long armed crew members. Skippers also appreciate that the Flasher does not require extra gear such as spinnaker poles, mast tracks, pole topping lift, foreguys or after guys. Jibing is as easy as letting one sheet go, turning the boat and trimming the new sheet. All from the safety of the cockpit!

In light air, the sail can even be carried on a close reach. Tightening the tack line to pull the tack practically to the deck makes the front of the sail very round and the rest of the sail flat, and the sail will practically take the shape of a genoa. The combined Flasher-Stasher package lets you get more enjoyment and carefree sailing from your boat when you might otherwise have been motoring.

Pass the suntan lotion and see if there's any ice left, 'cause we're going to be sailing for a while!

Editor's Note: Brad Poulos is the General Manager at UK Halsey Sailmakers and holds a US Coast Guard 50-ton masters license. Brad is also an ASA certified sailing instructor. If you have a question regarding the use or care of sails, send an e-mail to brad@BlueSkyNews.com.

From the Poop Deck
- By Madeline
Editor's Note: Madeline received the following letter referencing her column last month about Pup-Head

Dear Madeline - We saw your "From The Poop Deck" article in last month's newsletter, and we bought a Pup-Head for Sophie, our female German Shepherd and the real boss of our Defever, but like all German Shepherds, she thinks grass is best used for rolling around and lying on. Even fake grass.

So for our second try, we bought a tough plastic pan sold at Home Depot for mixing cement; filled it with compressed sawdust pellets that are sold for horse stables, and she figured out what it was for on the second day of a Catalina trip. We were so happy.

We use a 10 gallon lidded bucket with some cat litter in it for scooping it clean. The remaining pellets retain no odor, and you can just add a scoop or two to keep the level of the pellets up.

Just thought we'd pass this along in case it might prove useful to others you know who cruise with dogs.

Karl and Amy Schricker
Pelican - Defever 41
Sun Harbor Marina