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     sheratonlogonew.jpg
  Sheraton Harbor  
 Island Marina
   1590 Harbor Island Dr.
   San Diego, CA  92101
   Tel: 619-692-2249

  After Hours Security
 Phone:
   619-291-2900
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Those Annoying PC Sounds
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Some sounds your computer makes are o.k., but others can be really annoying. In particular, many people could do without the loud melody when you shut down or start up your computer.

Well, you don’t have to put up with it - Here’s how to change the settings to control when sounds are and are not to be made:

1) Under the Start Menu, open up the Control Panel

2) On the Control Panel, click on Sounds And Audio Devices

3) On the Sounds And Audio Devices Properties window, click on the Sounds tab

4) You will now see a Program Events window. If an item in the Program Events window has a little speaker symbol next to it, that means that every time that event happens, your computer will make the indicated sound.

5) Now - Click on any program event. You can then select a different sound from the Sounds window, or you can scroll up to the top of the Sounds window and select None for no sound.

The changes you make will  take effect after you restart your computer. Enjoy the peace and quiet!
From the Dock Master
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Eric Holle
Welcome to the Sheraton Harbor Island June 2007 e-mail newsletter. I hope everybody had a fun Memorial Day weekend and a great beginning to the summer boating season.

Comings and Goings:
A warm welcome to the marina to Mario Deiz and Charles Vester on Va Va Voom, and to Amos Zalno & Sherry Zolna, and to Mike Shannon who with some vaseline was able to squeeze El Jefe into his slip.

Get Well Soon:
We would also like to wish Michele Willis a speedy recovery fro her recent surgery - hurry back Michele!

Boat Show Reminders:
It’s not too early to remind everybody that even though the boat show is August 2nd through August 5th, we will start juggling boats on July 20th. If you plan on moving your boat to Sunroad or any other marina you need to make your arrangements now! Don’t wait until the last minute you may not be able to find a place and end up rafted up in little Hong Kong with the other boat people.

In preparation, please make sure your boats are in operational condition also all kayaks and dinghies or other items are not in the water or on the docks, especially the fingers. They need to be attached to your boat or removed from the marina prior to July 20th.

For boat show information go to www.scma.com.

Waterworks Transformed to New Shoreline
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Restaurant:
Marina tenants can now enjoy snacks, drinks and grilled favorites poolside at the newly remodeled Shoreline Restaurant (formerly Waterworks). New fire pits - all new decor. Drop in.

That it for now - I look forward to seeing you all at the marina this summer.

Eric Holle - Dock Master 

Breaking News About Boat Liners
S.D. County Clarifies Which Treatment Products Boat Owners Can and Can’t Use In Conjunction with Boat Liners
In a recent official notice, the San Diego Department of Agriculture Weights and Measures Pesticide Division ended confusion about which products can and can’t be used in enclosures that many people use to  protect boat bottoms. The notice also included a list of approved products as well as guidelines on how  to properly use them to be in compliance with environmental regulations. Owners should be advised that the use of “swimming pool products” in boat liners is now  illegal and will result in a fine. As a service to our Armored Hull Boat Shield customers and other boat liner users, we have put up detailed information on this subject on our web site including a list of approved EPA Registered products, procedures for their use, and many other handy tips.
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      Dennis Allen

Dennis Allen is President of San Diego-based  Affordable Marine and Armored Hull Boat Shield. He is a long time prominent member of the San Diego marine industry and pioneer in the field of alternatives to copper-base boat bottom paint and alternative marine fuels.

Uninsured Vendors Can Cost You Plenty
Do you check vendors that work on your boat to see if they have current insurance? Common sense and potential big dollar liability suggest you should. The failure of a vendor to have insurance can leave you in the position of insuring yourself. In some cases, lack of insurance can mean that the vendor either lacks the assets to fix the problem or there are other problems in their business practices. Additionally, if the vendor does not carry Workman’s Compensation, you could possibly be liable for a workman’s compensation claim. The bottom line? Make sure your vendors are insured! It only takes a minute to gain that peace of mind.

Diesel Fuel Spill Points Out Importance of Knowing About Your Insurance Coverage
One of our San Diego marinas experienced a diesel fuel spill over the Memorial Day weekend. This happened on a power boat that had returned late at night from a cruise, and during the night, a fuel filter seal failed causing the bilge pumps to pump the fuel into the water. While this incident was just one of those unforeseen failures, it may result in a sizable fine, and it points out the importance of understanding your insurance coverage inclusion and limits.

Physics 101 and Docking Your Boat
Is your boat slip situated in a prevailing crosswind? If so, it’s a good idea to keep Newton's second law of motion in mind when docking, namely, Force equals Mass times Acceleration (F = ma).

The force were talking about about here is the force with which your boat might smack into the dock finger (or your neighbor’s boat if you’re in a double slip), depending upon how you bring it in.

If you remember from High School physics, the first derivative of distance over time is speed (velocity); the second derivative is acceleration, and the third is onset, which in simple terms is the rate of change of acceleration. It’s onset that can kill you in a car crash; not speed or acceleration.

Likewise, it’s onset that can make that awful crunch on the dock finger (or your neighbor’s boat) if you allow the sideways motion of your boat to get out of hand while docking.

If  Newton were alive, he would advise you to avoid making a downwind approach to your slip in a crosswind. If you approach your slip at a slight upwind attitude, you’ll be better able to keep the crosswind from increasing the sideways acceleration of your boat, thus achieving a gentler kiss on the dock. It’s also important to always maintain some amount of forward motion when docking in a crosswind.

We didn’t mention current here, but if your slip has a prevailing crosswind and a strong current, Newton would probably advise you to ask your marina manager for a new slip!

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   Hey! Bring me my life jacket  
   before we go on this dinghy
   ride!
From the Poop Deck
Hooray! Hooray! It’s the end of May gray! Soon all of my pet friends will be here for the warm summer boating season. Don’t forget - it gets hot in the summer, so please keep us pets hydrated and don’t burn our tender pads on the hot docks. It wouldn’t hurt to give us a ride in a dock cart every once in a while!
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Desktop Photo of the Month - San Clemente Sunset on a Warm Summer Evening
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Our BlueSkyNews.com camera captured this striking sunset off the coast of San Clemente. For step-by-step instructions to download this photo or one of our many other fantastic free  photos to your PC desktop, Click Here.
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Dear BlueSkyNews.com subscriber,
I decided to extend an invitation to you instead of writing my usual  monthly column.

I will be exhibiting at the 17th annual Koehler Kraft Wooden Boat Festival on June 16th & 17th on Shelter Island (See details below) to answer your marine electrical questions in person. If you have questions about your boat I’ll be there to answer them. If you can bring digital photos, please do, as they are a great help in visualizing your specific situation.

I will also have a seawater tub full of thru-hulls and other dissimilar metals and demonstrate how your zincs and galvanic isolators tie into the whole bonding/shore power thing.

If you have ever wanted to talk with a Marine Electrician about anything, for free, this is your chance. (Actually, not completely for free. There is an entrance fee of $5, all profits going to help disabled people experience the water.) I will personally guarantee at least $5 worth of electrical information. Thanks - Hope to see you there - Brett

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Brett Dingerson
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 vessel electrical systems for blue water or local bay boating. He is the owner of San Diego-based Marine Electric.

Saturday June 2nd - Operation Clean Sweep
As many as 400 divers and 1,000 volunteers will be participating in the 17th annual Operation Clean Sweep of San Diego Bay. This years event, presented by the San Diego Port Tenants Association will concentrate on Shelter Island, Chollas Creek, and the Chula Vista Marina area. For the complete Clean Sweep schedule and volunteer registration information, visit www.sdpta.org.

Friday - June 15th - Heroes on the Harbor
A night of music on the USS Midway to honor our
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    Mayor Sanders and Other City Dignitaries
    Show Support for Operation Clean Sweep
wounded American warriors. Live music will feature New York's "Big Shot" Billy Joel tribute band, "The Corvelles," and "Married by Elvis." Starts at 6:30 p.m. - Cost: $60-$85. Event to raise funds for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. For more information call (858)794-0164

Saturday & Sunday - June 16th & 17th -  Wooden Boat Festival
Wooden boat owners will be displaying their craft at the San Diego Wooden Boat Festival, held every Father's Day Weekend at Koehler Kraft Boat Builders at 2302  Shelter Island Drive. More than 80 wooden craft, ranging from row boats to regal schooners will be on hand for viewing by the public. Call 619-222-9051 or visit www.koehlerkraft.com for more information.

Saturday - June 23rd - Marine Gear Swap Meet - One at Marina Cortez - One at Chula Vista Marina
Marina Cortez - The lot will be open to swappers on Saturday, June 23rd from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Chula Vista - Saturday, June 23rd  – The lot will be open to swappers from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – The Galley at the Marina will be open and Bay View Nautical will have store items for sale at the swap meet.

Between the Sheets - Taking Care of Your Sails
Sails are something we sailors often take for granted. We uncover them, motor into the bay and hoist them, and we set off for a pleasant day on the water. But wait, what was that tearing sound as we trimmed the head sail? There it is -  the leach line with no pocket; flapping in the breeze.

If it’s been months or longer since you really examined your sails, here are some pointers that I learned many years ago from a Sail Wright after an unscheduled visit to his sail loft.

Check your sails by hoisting them a foot at a time. Check  the stitching, grommet and attaching points for any missing stitches, loose threads, or damaged attaching points. If you find any damage mark the area with blue painters tape. ( It’s difficult to locate the damage later without doing that).

Then if everything is o.k., make sure your sail is clean. There are many ways to do this. I prefer hoisting the sail and scrubbing both sides with a mild biodegradable soap solution and soft brush, rinsing each section until all soap is removed. Let sail remain hoisted until completely dry. Flogging of your sails when wet can stretch the sails.
Always un-tension the out-haul after sailing - constant tension will stretch the sail and cause undue stress on the stitching.

If your sails are not the pristine white you desire but the fabric is in good shape, there are many sail cleaning and reconditioning process available that will clean, repair, resining and renew  the logos and numbers for a fraction of the cost of a new sail check the internet under sail cleaning. Happy sailing - See you on the water!

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