5000 N. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92106
Telephone:
619-222-1167
Fax:
619-222-9387
E-mail Address:
kathy@sun-harbor.com
Web Site:
www.sun-harbor.com
Office Hours:
Monday - Saturday
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Important Numbers:
Harbor Police:
619-686-6272
US Coast Guard:
800-424-8802
Marina After Hours:
619-808-9518
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PC Tip of the Month - Some Google-licious Tricks
- By Professor Von Billygates
Every time you use Google to search for things on the Internet, it seems like they've added some great new features. Here's a couple you may not have tried:
Search Nearby: Next time you find a location on a Google map - say, the location of a business appointment you have, check out the "Search Nearby" feature. You can enter a keyword like "hotel" or "pizza" and the map will show you where you can get those things nearby your appointment.
Intitle: This one is really useful. It searches the words in the title bar of web pages, and can help you find a product that you liked, but can't remember where you found it. This trick will help you find out who sells it.
Example: intitle:"Weber BabyQ" - Be sure not to put a space after the colon, and put your key words in double quotes. A great way to comparison shop.
Sun Harbor Marina Minute
Greetings Sun Harbor tenants and welcome to the March 2010 newsletter.
Swapping Table:
The table outside the mail room has been an informal swap meet area where a tenant may leave an item or two that might otherwise languish unused in their vessel. The volume of swap items has gotten to be larger than our informal area can comfortably hold. Please refrain from leaving your items on the table and donate them directly to a charity you enjoy supporting
The Rec Room: Heating, Cooling, and Security
The Rec Room has been regularly found empty with the door left open, both during daylight and nighttime. This is a waste of heating and cooling resources as well as a security risk. Please help keep operation costs down, and our marina a safe and secure place to be. Please keep the door shut.
Boating Safety Classes
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering boating safety classes, every Wednesday Evening at 6:00pm, at West Marine, 1250 Rosecrans (near Shelter Island Drive). The next Basic Skills and Seamanship Class begins March 17th. For a complete list of classes offered and registration details, please go to www.sandiegocgaux.org
Tenant of the Month
Murphy's Canvas for creating custom sand bags to help minimize water damage during the wicked winds and rain.
Calendar Reminders:
February Marine Swap Meet Rescheduled:
Saturday, February 20th, from 6:00 am -11:00 am
Mac 'n Cheese Cook Off :
The cook off is from 1-2:30 on Saturday, February 27. Sign up to enter your mac-n-cheese masterpiece on the sheet in the laundry room, the office, by phone, fax or email.
Challenged America Fiddlers Feast Fundraiser: On St Patty’s Day (March 17th) have dinner at Fiddler's Green from 5-8 p.m. and Challenged America will receive a percentage of proceeds. Challenged America is also accepting donated items (marine items, furniture, clothing, boats or cars). For more information on Challenged America, and their mission, please go to: www.challengedamerica.org
Trawler Fest 2010:
Trawler Fest 2010, will be held at the Kona Kai, Shelter Island, March 5 - 7, 2010
Boat show hours: 10a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday - Saturday and 10a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday
Seminars: 8:30a.m. - 12 p.m. (Friday through Sunday). For more information, go to: www.passagemaker.com
Boat Washing Considerations
Every time a boat is washed with soaps and detergent, water pollution becomes a bigger problem. Many soaps and detergents contain phosphates that stimulate excessive algae and invasive plant growth. This depletes the oxygen level in the water, making it difficult, if not impossible, for other marine life to survive.
Detergents contain toxins like arsenic that when in fresh or salt water become lethal to humans as well as marine life. The most intense affect soap has is on the fish population. Degreasing components that make our boats so clean, strip fish of natural oils in their gills. Without these oils to take in oxygen, the fish suffocate.
What can we do as boaters? Be more mindful of alternatives and regulate overall use. After each trip, scrub and rinse your boat with fresh water (no soap). This will minimize the need for harsh cleaners. Look for phosphate-free and biodegradable soaps that can be found in marine supply businesses like West Marine, companies like Sierra Natural Cleaners cleaning products, or, you could whip up a batch of your own, all natural cleaners.
A quick Google online should get you in touch with web pages dedicated to creating your own, environmentally gentle cleaners. The advantages are that you can make only what you'll need and can adjust your cleaners to your own unique vessel. These products use natural citric acid as their base cleaning agent. A little soap goes a long way, so be conservative. Use half the amount you think you need. For normal dirt and grim, alternative methods are effective and make a big difference on water quality. For more on alternative cleaning methods, visit www.dnrec.state.de.us
Bike, Run or Walk to the Point Loma Farmer's Market
If you have the time, getting to the market without using your car can be a great way to get exercise, and use less fuel and can be lots of fun. I find it extremely satisfying when I bike somewhere to do errands. And, it's not as far as you might think! 3 miles walking or running may sound daunting to some and takes some time, but biking can be a great alternative.
Even if you live further, if you're feeling adventurous, try it out! Strap on a backpack and your helmet and head on down to Point Loma or Mission Valley, chances are you can do your shopping including travel time in about the same amount of time as if you drove, maybe a little more, but still reasonable. Plus, you'll get some exercise for the day! You can even scope out some good routes in your car ahead of time if you need to. The Harbor Dr. Bike Path takes you right to Liberty Station.
For more information on biking and bike routes, check out www.icommutesd.com, you can order a free regional bike map and get information on bike commuting (or even ride sharing to work) and tips on how to be safe on the roads. We all know how chaotic San Diego traffic can get, it might be nice to find an alternative to driving sometimes. It's a nice way to slow down the pace of life, either to enjoy a Sunday morning in Pt. Loma or avoid the Friday afternoon traffic in Mission Valley. Give it a try, let us know how it goes!
Preferred Rates at Best Western Yacht Harbor
The Best Western Yacht Harbor Hotel (across the street) is offering preferred rates to Sun Harbor Marina tenants. Rates vary according to season so call the office to confirm rates when you are interested in reserving a room.
Point Break Makeover
SEAWOMANSHIP, "San Diego's Women on the Water" is spearheading the Operation Point Break Makeover. The overall goal of SEAWOMANSHIP is to increase the well being and good deeds toward the San Diego Boating Community; while giving the Point Break Café a 'Face-Lift' inside and out. The Point Break is located in the heart of Shelter Island
What better opportunity to show what we in the Shelter Island community can accomplish! The redecorating will take place on March 13 and 14. This is a fine opportunity to support your local business-if you can, give a hand!
Seawomanship is looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of this project, which will enhance the presence of this iconic Shelter Island hub. All are welcome to volunteer and donate materials. Interested volunteers should sign up with Seawomanship.
Thank you for your support to date. The one night Fund Raising event on Feb. 12, was able to raise
$ 1,533 toward Operation: Point Break Makeover
CALIFORNIA DOCKWALKERS
The California Department of Boating and Waterways and the California coastal Commission's statewide Boating Clean and Green Program, with the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation, the Keep the Delta Clean Program and other organizations have joined to train Dockwalkers.
Dockwalkers are volunteers who inspire and educate boaters to be safe and environmentally conscious while boating in California. They distribute free boater kits with educational materials at marinas and at nautical events. Kit recipients are asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The information collected in them help improve programs and better focus education and outreach efforts of the sponsoring organizations. To fill out your Boater kit questionnaire and to receive your free boater kit, stop in the office.
Joke of the Month
Jim had an awful day fishing on the lake, sitting in the blazing sun all day without catching a single one. On his way home, he stopped at the supermarket and ordered four catfish. He told the fish salesman, "Pick four large ones out and throw them at me, will you ?"
"Why do you want me to throw them at you?"
"Because I want to tell my wife that I caught them."
"Okay, but I suggest that you take the orange roughy."
"Why's that?"
"Because your wife came in earlier today and said that if you came by, I should tell you to take Orange Roughy. That's what she'd like for supper tonight."
Nautical Phrase of the Month
It is understood that "the devil" was the outermost seam in a ship's deck. Although being "between the devil and the deep blue sea" would be most precarious, I'm more convinced by an alternate explanation, because it encompasses both this phrase, and the phrase, "There'll be the devil to pay."
In this case, "the devil" was the lowest seam in the ship's hull, the one just above the keel. When the time came to re-caulk, it was common to deliberately beach the ship on its side at high tide. As the tide went out, the seams would gradually be exposed, the old caulking would be scraped out, and they'd be re-caulked.
Finally, the lowest seam, the devil, would uncover. Obviously, once the devil was scraped out, it had to be re-caulked before the tide came in. It was the last to be uncovered by the tide, and the first to be re-covered.
It is this urgency that gave rise to the phrase: "The devil to pay." Originally, it was something like, "Hurry up (with the other seams), there's (still) the devil to pay.
There is a related phrase, "The devil to pay"; this is part of a longer saying, the last bit of which has been nearly forgotten. The entire saying goes; 'The devil to pay, and no pitch hot'. "Paying" was the final step in re-caulking: pouring hot pitch into the seam that had just been re-caulked. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency, and dread.
This phrase seems to have mutated to: "If we don't do (X,) there'll be the devil to pay," or "If (X) happens there'll be the devil to pay.
Finally, this meaning jibes better with the keel-hauling meaning of "Between the devil and the deep blue sea, which is precisely where the unfortunate payer/caulker/victim is.
Based on The Phrase Finder: www.phrases.org.uk
Update Log from Hans Petermann
Many of you know Hans Peterman ("Vamanos") is on a sailing adventure-he's sent an update on his trip. Subject: Hans made it to Puerto Vallarta - Final Destination (for now)
Hola Amigos and Amigas,
Well finished the trip south by dropping anchor in my town of La Cruz on Monday at 4 am. It was a great trip from San Jose. We were treated with winds on the beam at 13-18 knots. Had the boat sailing at 8-9 knots most of the first day. Then winds let up a bit and we slowed down to about 6-7. Towards the end of the second day we had to turn the engine on but still a good trip. Just very tiring as I was down to one other crew, Willie, as Ken had to leave in San Jose. 1000 miles at 7 mph is a arduous journey.
We were treated to the most incredible meteor shower on Sunday night. It is funny in that exactly two years ago I was doing the exact same leg on my first sail down to Puerto Vallarta. When were leaving Cabo two years ago a guy on the dock told us there was going to be a meteor shower that night. Saw the meteor shower then too but this year was way better. All night long about one every 10- 15 seconds. Saw one that had sparks shooting out the sides that lasted about 5 seconds. Very spiritual sailing flying thru the water in darkness at 8-9 knots with more stars you have ever seen, and then throw in the meters....wow
No fish on this leg....but did find some small squid on the deck at daybreak. They jump out of the water trying to get away from prey. Was sailing along one night kicking back, head leaning on the cockpit looking up at the stars and I thought I keep getting a whiff of fish. Thought wow there is so many fish in the ocean here the whole darn ocean smells like them, wonder why I cant catch one here...finally I heard a little flapping noise so I turned on my flash light and there was a flying fish on the deck right behind my head. Must have just missed slamming into me, well I bit off his head and ate him raw.....just kidding helped him back into the ocean so he can be something else's meal.
Nice to be back to home #2. Really enjoying being on anchor instead of at a marina which I can do now having installed the solar panels and water maker. Being at a marina is kind of like taking your RV and staying in a parking lot. Being on the hook is like taking your RV to a national park. Swimming around the boat now every morning in 78 degree water. No surf right here right now, they had some huge surf while we were sailing down. I heard whales inside my boat last night while sleeping. Lots of whales winter in the bay. I think it was a momma calling her young.
Lots of chores cleaning the boat and trying to get the second story on my house finished a liveable, rough life but someone has to do it!
Hope all is well in everyone's world. If you need a little warming up, come on down. Lots of room for visitors!! Miss you all! - Captain Hans, Willie and Ken.
That's it for me - Hope you're enjoying the sunshine and I'll see you at the marina.
Kathy OBrien - Sun Harbor Marina
kathy@sun-harbor.com
Boaters Enjoy Web Seminars at Home
Is your boat in San Diego and your home in Seattle?
No problem - Boaters from as far away as Indiana are logging in to "attend" BlueSkyNews.com's popular boating web seminars right on their PCs in the comforts of home.
Participants are able to hear and see the presenter's slides and ask questions of not only the speaker, but also other participants in a relaxed and informal on-line "meeting". Upcoming web seminars include:
February 24th
Cruising to Catalina
March 3rd.
Diesel Engine Maintenance Tips
Rescue 21 -A Giant Leap For Boating
- By Bob Simons
This is a terrific announcement, and it will make you and your boat safer.
The US Coast Guard is in the process of installing and testing a new emergency communications system called Rescue 21.
The system has been used for the past year successfully on the East Coast and the Northwest and Alaska regions.
Soon San Diego will have the benefit of this great system which will be operated in tandem with the current system for a few months.
In layman's terms, when the system is fully operational and you press the little red button on your radio, or call Mayday on Channel 16, the Coast Guard will be able to immediately and automatically triangulate your position and take appropriate action.
We have had Digital Select Calling (DSC) radios for the past few years, but these required you to interface your radio with your GPS in order for it to relay your position. Rescue 21 gets your position automatically.
You will still have to fill out the MMSI paperwork for your vessel because that assigns you a unique number that provides a complete description of the vessel and contact your information.
There are many other techy things that the radios are useful for, but now is the time for you to step up to one of the new radios that will provide you unparalleled safety that has not been available in the past. I just bought one of the DSC-VHF Class "D" radios that will provide many additional benefits to my communications.
Over the years, navigation and communications have made great strides. The GPS replaced LORAN that had replaced Radio Direction Finders. RESCUE 21 will replace or supplement DSC Radios that replaced VHF Radios that had replaced Double Side Band tube radios. Most of this has happened during the lifetime of Baby Boomers.
Click Here for more information about the Rescue 21 system.
Bob Simons has been in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for thirty years and owns a small sailboat as well as a small powerboat. He teaches classes in Boating Safety & Seamanship as well as Basic and Advanced Coastal Navigation.
Cruising to the Northern Channel Islands - Part 1
- By Frank & Martha Mowry
This begins a three part series of articles treating cruising to the Northern Channel Islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel.
This island chain which runs roughly Southeast to Northwest is separated from mainland California by the Santa Barbara Channel. These islands are a jewel of Southern California cruising, and well worth your consideration as a priority destination.
Though you're not going to a distant third world country, the Channel Islands cruise from San Diego is not a trip to the beach, and requires thoughtful preparation. Round trip from San Diego is 300 to 350 nautical miles depending on your route and extent of cruising in the Islands.
The prevailing winds are WNW to NNW affording some opportunity for sailing, but our experience would indicate that motor sailing predominates - especially during the transit to the Islands. Once there, wind speeds and wind directions offer a variety of points of sail.
Martha and I avoid overnight travel by visiting several ports on the way up and back. Our itinerary varies, and we have over-nighted at Mission Bay, Dana Point, Oceanside, Newport Harbor, Redondo Beach, Marina del Rey and Oxnard. A faster transit would be from San Diego to Isthmus Cove on Catalina Island; and from there to the Islands, with each leg being about 75 nautical miles.
Maps covering these cruising areas include NOAA #18740 and 18720. They can be purchased individually and are also included in the " Chart Kit of Southern California" along with other helpful large and small scale maps of the area.
Since we overnight at several ports on our way to the islands, the chief provisioning concern is the time to be spent at the islands. It's important to assure you have an adequate supply of propane. In addition to the boat propane tank(s), don't forget the small canisters for the barbecue.
We do general provisioning with food stuffs and beverages prior to departing. Potable water, ice, and frozen foods added to the larder at our last port prior to leaving for the islands. Try to minimize the use of paper products to better to contain your trash burden. What you carry into the Channel Islands you carry out! That's everything!
Finally we top off our diesel at the last port-of-call. Next we visit the islands.
About Ports of Call Along the Way to
the Channel Islands
Anchoring in Mission Bay (Mariner's Cove) is free of charge - limit 3 nights - no permit required.
Dana Point anchorages both east and west end of the basin are also free, no permit required. Guest slips are available at Dana Point through the Dana Point Marina Company 949-496-6137. It's best to call ahead for a slip.
Newport Harbor has bow/stern mooring, anchoring, and guest slips. The guest slips attach to private marinas and require pre-arrival arrangements. The moorings are obtained at the harbormaster's office ($5.00 per night). They are difficult to use because most have no spreader line between bow and stern buoys. With any wind, help from the Harbor Patrol is required for the unpracticed mariner. Anchoring is free but limited and presence of crewman required at all times.
Oceanside Harbor offers guest slips on a first-come, first-served basis. A slip may be obtained at the Oceanside Harbor District Office for 75 cents per foot per day 760-435-4000.
Marina del Rey has public slips at 50 cents per foot per day. They are located at the county docks at the foot of Burton Chase Park. Contact the Department of Beaches and Harbors Burton Chase Park 310-305-9595. Reservations are not accepted; first-come, first-served. Some of the private marinas also offer guest slips. No anchoring or buoys available.
The Channel Islands Harbor located at Oxnard, California is a favorite jumping off point for Channel Islands cruisers and offers both public and private guest slips. For a slip at the Peninsula Park Guest Dock contact the Harbor Patrol on Channel 16 or call 805-382-3007 on arrival. The same is true for the Pacific Corinthian Marina 805-984-2847, and Peninsula Yacht Anchoring 805-985-6400. Slip fees vary from 45 cents per foot per day to $30 per day for boats 39 feet or more. We have stayed at the Channel Islands Marina on several occasions and found both facilities and staff to be excellent. Contact them at 805-984-7780. Reservations accepted.
All of the marinas mentioned have full service including pump-outs, fuel docks, shore facilities, trash disposal receptacles, and water/power hookups. Oxnard has handy markets for last minute provisioning. I would recommend you acquire "The Southern California Boater's Guide" 2nd Edition published by Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission 213- 576-6615. It's an exceptional document and should be in the library of every Southern California cruiser. No charge; but donations to the commission are appreciated.
Much of the time during the cruise to the Channel Islands is spent at anchor. Your dinghy and outboard are essential and require your attention prior to departure. Check 'em out. Few things can complicate your trip more than an outboard that won't start, or a leaky inflatable. Oh yes, don't forget the OBM gas.
Stay tuned.
Editor's Note: Frank and Martha Mowry have enjoyed cruising southern California waters for 10 years aboard their 42' Island Packet sloop. Click Here to send Frank and Martha an e-mail with your sea stories or questions.
How Sweet is Your Water???
- By Richard Benscoter
Every boater knows that if the boat's fresh water tank isn't getting regular use and re-filling, the water can develop an odor and an unpleasant taste.
Also, tap water has a maximum shelf life of 6 months, so if a good portion of the water in your tank has been in there that long, you probably need to take some action to clean it up.
But not to worry - I will explain how to get that clean fresh taste back without the odor.
First, there is a difference between cleaning your water and sanitizing your water. Cleaning involves removing all the debris and stains in the tank, and sanitizing is killing all the microscopic bugs living in the tanks.
This process I'll describe here will do both, and takes very little work. Let's get started.
If your water heater is on, turn it off, then deplete the hot water supply.
Next, you'll need 2 cups of bleach for every 15 gallons of water your tank holds. (Important: Don't use straight bleach or scented bleach - it can have damaging effects on some hoses used in your water system, and scented bleach will permeate your hoses and all plastic).
Mix the bleach 2 cups per gallon of water before putting it into your water tank.
After you have added the bleach solution, make sure your tanks are completely full. Make sure you use a potable water hose that is made for transferring potable water - they are clearly marked and are usually white in color. Ordinary garden hoses will give water a foul taste from the material from which they are made, and it will remain in your water tanks.
Another tip - When you are through using your potable water hose, screw the ends together to prevent contamination when stored. When you use a hose after being stored, always let water run through it for a few minutes before filling your water tanks.
Now - Turn on all faucets one at a time until you smell the chlorine of the bleach. Do this also to the hot water side, and don't forget that swim step shower.
Do not turn on your hot water heater! Let this mixture sit for 12 hours. Longer is not better!!!
After 12 hours, drain the tank, and open the valve on the hot water heater to drain.
Finally, refill your tanks with fresh water and turn on each outlet, hot and cold, and let the water run until there is no chlorine smell - again, remember the swim step shower.
You can now top off your water tanks and enjoy fresh, sweet smelling water again. Your tanks should now be clean and ready for use.
One last note - The water inlet side of most fresh water pumps has a screen to catch debris from the water tanks. It's a good idea to check this after you have completed your flush to make sure it's not clogged.
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.
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