Sun Harbor Marina Minute
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your Sun Harbor Marina office team. And congratulations to all of you who decorated your boats and to those of you who added to the holiday festivities in the Parade of Lights! A-Dock took the lead with the most participants; The winners include Charlotte and Eric on Rebel Heart for having the most traditional lights; Marcia on Chez Nous for having the brightest lights (probably to keep her rubber duck collection happy).

B-dock had a major showing with Carmen on Sundance decked out (no pun intended) for the Parade of Lights, and Christine and Sal on Christine II were all lit up in the Christmas Spirit. Each participant will get $10 off of their electric bills and each participant named above will receive two Sun Harbor Marina T-Shirts.

New Marina Contests in 2008?
Jumping right into the topic of New Year's Resolutions, the next Sun Harbor contest will be for the boat that is the best maintained. Hmmmm! I wonder if we should also have a contest for a "biggest loser's prize" for the boat which is maintained the worst?






New Years Resolutions...








Are You an Avid Reader?
Several Sun Harbor liveaboards are starting a book club and they would like to invite anyone interested to join them. Please contact Charlotte at redcharlotte@gmail.com or Barbara at barbara.tramelli@cancer.org by the end of the month for more information.

Weight Management
The equation is simple. Keep the number of calories you take in at or below the number of calories you burn. Need inspiration? Need support? Well, another great group of Sun Harbor liveaboards has formed a walking club. Everyone is free to join, and they leave each morning at 6:50 a.m. and walk for 40-50 minutes, Monday through Friday. If you would like to walk with them just meet up at the communal table at 6:50am.

Space Management
Need more room? Have items that are too good to throw out but haven't found a home? Saturday, January 5th, 2008 is the opportunity you have been looking for - Sun Harbor Marina's 2008 Swap Meet. Rent a space for just $10 and sell all of those items. The Swap Meet runs from 6:00 am until 10:45 am.

Stress Management
Here's a special offer to Sun Harbor Marina tenants: If you need a stress-relieving, professional and therapeutic massage, but are turned off by the typical high price, Massage Envy is just what the therapist ordered. Whether you're looking to relieve stress, lower your blood pressure, or are just interested in getting some much needed relaxation, their flexible scheduling and affordable prices make finding heaven easy! Massage Envy offers to all first time customers a special rate of $39. And for Sun Harbor Marina tenants that are interested in their membership program, an additional discount will be given, dropping the fees to $54 per month. Please take in your SHM Tenant card to get the discount.

Did You Know...Owning a Pet Can Reduce Stress?
As Long as the Pet Rules of the Marina are Followed of Course
When thinking of ways to reduce stress in life, usually techniques like meditation, yoga and journaling come to mind. These are great techniques, to be sure, but getting a new best friend can also have many stress relieving and health benefits.

While human friends provide great social support and come with some fabulous benefits, there are great benefits of our furry friends: cats and dogs! Research shows that unless you're someone who really dislikes animals, or are absolutely too busy to care for one properly, pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and other health benefits. Here are more health benefits of pets:

• Pets can improve your mood
• Pets control blood pressure better than drugs
• Pets encourage you to get out and exercise
• Pets can help with social support
• Pets stave off loneliness and provide unconditional love

Most of all. pets can reduce stress - Sometimes more than people: (This may be partially due to the fact that pets don't judge us; they just love us.)

It's important to realize that owning a pet isn't for everyone. Pets do come with additional work and responsibility, which can bring its own stress.

Sun Harbor Marina supports tenants and their families, including pets, BUT, to continue enjoying your pets while at the marina, the rules must be followed. Pets are not allowed to enter the restrooms, laundry room, mailroom or Rec/LEED room. Unless actually aboard the owner's vessel, all pets must be attended at all times and must be on a leash or in a cage during transit.

No pet may be tied or otherwise secured to any part of the premises. Owners need to endeavor to prevent pets from defecating or urinating on Marina premises. If a pet fouls the premises despite your efforts to prevent it, you must immediately clean the area and properly dispose of waste. State law prohibits dumping of any waste (treated or untreated) in the water. Pet waste must be disposed of in the toilet or trash. Please do not jeopardize your pets access to the marina or your wharfage contract with the marina.

To learn more about reducing stress with pet ownership, Click Here!

Haute Spa - Just What the Doctor Ordered For the Holidays!
Are you searching for the perfect gift for your loved one or just need some pampering in preparation for the holidays? Look no further! Haute Spa is offering all Sun Harbor Marina tenants a 15% discount with your Tenant Card on any spa service including Massage & Body Treatments, Nail Treatments, Skin Care, and Hair cuts. Visit www.hautespa.com for a full list of services.

Some Gentile Reminders
Remember to turn off water hoses and don't leave them attached to your unattended boat with the water turned on. If you have a leak you may find your vessel sinking. Use the hoses to fill your holding tanks and then shut off the water until you need a refill.

Battery disposal - if it is that time of year to change your boat battery, please dispose of the old battery properly. There are several sites that will take them from you at no charge. See the marina website for details. Do not leave the old batteries in the dumpster area to create a hazard for all.

Dish TV - if you are one of the Satellite TV users, please take a close look at your cabling. As the tides are extreme this time of year, many of the cables are becoming sloppy. You may also need additional ties around the pilers to hold the cable. Please note that painters tape is not an acceptable solution for holding the cable in place. If you have any questions about what materials can be used, please inquire at the office.

Holiday Party -
The holiday party was enjoyed by many. Great food (see recipes below). Everybody had a good time getting to know each other better and a few jokes shared around the table. The Christmas tree received a few more decorations. While additional parties will be scheduled by the office, keep in mind that the Rec/LEED Room, Deck and Promenade can be reserved for events that you want to have with marina friends and family.

Comings and Goings:
A - 47 - Jim Pearce - Triton II
B - 62 - Larry Qualls - Yorkshire Girl
MD - 1 - Don Blackstone - T/T Tiger
MD - 3 - Jane Skvarka - T/T Sleeper

Sun Harbor Marina Website
A major make over by Rita Grindle has taken place!!! Take a look and let us know what you think, www.sun-harbor.com

Holiday Recipes
Autumn Roasted Vegetables:
1 Yam or Sweet Potato
1 Large Beet
1 Squash (any kind you like)
1 Small bag of Carrots
Cherry Tomatoes
Potatoes (use only about 3 types as the flavors begin to be lost otherwise).

Peel and cut all vegetables (except the cherry tomatoes) into bite sized chunks. Reserve the tomatoes to add after the other vegetables have been roasted. Separate two or three whole garlic heads.

Place all prepared veggies in a large bowl. Pour enough olive oil to lightly coat all turning the vegetables in the oil with your hands. Add a teaspoon of chopped fresh rosemary and a tablespoon of fresh chopped thyme. Salt and pepper to taste also turned with hands while in the bowl.

Spread all the vegetables on a cooking sheet so veggies are on one level. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, turning the vegetables with a spatula about every 10 minutes until vegetables are just beginning to be soften.

Move the vegetables to the broiler and broil for 8-10 minutes. Remove from broiler and move to serving bowl stirring in cherry tomatoes.

Fried Candied Apples
4 to 6 cooking apples
2 to 3 Cups sugar
1 stick butter
1 ½ tsp. water

Slice apples into quarters, peel and core. Slice apples into thin sections. In a heavy skillet, add butter in bits, melt and then apple slices. Add sugar and water. Heat high, stirring. When juices appear turn down to low. Stir until apples appear translucent and golden. Be careful the apples will burn easily. Good served at room temperature with pork or poultry.

Cranberry Relish
1 12 ounce package cranberries
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup water

In saucepan heat sugar and water to boil. Add cranberries then bring to boil again on medium heat, cook uncovered for 10 minutes. Remove from heat then cover and let cool. Refrigerate after cooled.

That's it For Now
Remember, if you have any questions or items you'd like to share in our newsletter, please let us know.

Kathy OBrien - Sun Harbor Marina
kathy@sun-harbor.com

Still Keeping Track of Your Appointments On That Old Desk Calendar?
Join the 21st Century! Google has a free calendar capability that you can even share with other people and do things like import other useful calendars such as U.S. holidays.

It takes a little bit of time to set it up, but it's well worth it when you're done. Here's a link to a Tour of the Google calendar - Take a look at it before you start. Then when you're ready to set up your calendar, sign on to Google and click on the more pull-down menu. Under more, select the Calendar option. If you don't have a free Google account, you'll be prompted to set one up at this point.

The trickiest part is in the sharing of your calendar with other people so you can all enter appointments and so all of you can also see each other's entries. This requires a series of e-mails between the people who you want to share asking for and giving permission to each other to use the calendar.

One of the neatest features is the ability to import other "public" calendars into yours. We mentioned U.S. Holidays, but there are tons of other calendars that you may be interested in ranging from theatre schedules to what's happening at your local convention center. Google makes it easy for you to search these public calendars and import them into yours.

One caution, make sure you don't make your calendar "public" unless you want the public to be able to see it. Happy scheduling!

Come Visit BlueSkyNews.com at the San Diego Boat Show
How would you like to win a cruise for two aboard America's Cup racing boat USA-11? Or how about a flat screen monitor and a $100.00 gift certificate to Island Prime from Blue Moon Yacht Service; a 1-year membership from Sea Tow, or a $75.00 gas credit card from Essex Credit?

These are just a few of the many great prizes the sponsors of our booth have given us to give away at the first annual BlueSkyNews.com sweepstakes at the San Diego Boat Show.

Additional sweepstakes prizes include a free massage at the Sheraton Harbor Island Spa, four $25 gift certificates from Downwind Marine, one $25 gift certificate from Seabreeze Books and Charts, and two nights getaway slip rental at Loews Crown Isle Marina, Chula Vista Marina and Sun Harbor Marina. Sun Harbor Marina has also donated a $30.00 gift certificate to Pizza Nova, and we'll also have loads of logo gear plus a gift basket from Marina Cortez to give to lucky winners.

The show is being held Thursday through Sunday, January 3-6, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center and Marriott Marina.

Plan to stop by booth #3158 near the boat show stage and meet the BlueSkyNews.com team and enter to win one of these great prizes.

Also, don't miss the opportunity to see and hear your favorite BlueSkyNews.com authors Richard Benscoter, Brett Dingerson, and Bob Simons, who will be appearing on the official boat show stage. Here's a link to see the days and times they will be speaking.

See you at the show!.

Proper Sail Care
First Prepare Your Boat
As sailors, we are acutely aware of the cost of sails as part of the total investment in owning and operating a sailboat. Experience has also shown that the treatment of new sails after they are delivered can greatly extend or shorten their useful life.

Naturally, one of the main determinants of a sail's life span is the quality of the materials used and the workmanship of the sailmaker. Regarding proper treatment of sails to promote a long useful life, there are many steps that can and should be taken. These can be divided these into three main areas:

- Preparation of the boat and rig
- Proper treatment of the sails on board
- Care and maintenance.

In this article we will look at how to prepare your boat and the rigging:
--Tape all cotter pins, sharp corners and other points that can tear or chafe sails. Give particular attention to the pulpit area. Make sure you tape off the turnbuckles where the lifelines attach.

• Place boots or tubes over turnbuckles, both to prevent chafe and to keep grease and oil off sails.
  
  
• Be sure the lifelines are clean and free of meat hooks. Give particular attention to the stanchion tops. Acetone is a good cleaner for vinyl-coated lifelines.
  
  
• Install rollers or padded boots on spreader tips.
  
  --Be sure wire halyards have no meat hooks or open wire on the shackles which might chafe or snag the sails.
  
  
• Position guards to close off any "V's" in the rigging that may catch the sails when they are being hoisted or lowered.
  
  
• Wash the deck before each weekend of sailing, and polish the spars periodically so that sails don't pick up any of the aluminum oxidation.
  
  
• Dry out your sails before leaving them on the boat for any period of time. One way of doing this is to simply spread the sails around the main cabin and forepeak so that the air can circulate and dry them between outings.
  
  
• Avoid the practice of drying sails by hoisting them to flog in the breeze.
  
  
• Finally, minimize exposure to direct sunlight when drying your sails.

Taking these steps will ensure and extend the life and strength of your sails allowing you to get the most out of them in terms of speed and appearance. Happy sailing! Next month I'll review how to properly treat your sails while on board.

Brad Poulos is the General Manager at UK Sails 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@uksocal.com.


Around the Circuit - Cruising to Mexico?
By Brett Dingerson
A lot of people do this time of year, so I thought an electrical checklist might come in handy.

Your first and foremost concern should be the condition of your batteries. If they are less than 2 years old, they will probably perform admirably for a winter's worth of cruising down South, but I recommend testing them before trusting them.

Load testing is the most common method to test battery health. Batteries are placed under a load, similar to starting an engine, and if they provide enough power they are considered to be OK. There is a more accurate method, however, called capacitance testing. This method will give an accurate reading of the battery's capacity to hold a charge and is a much better measurement of a battery's condition.

You should also test and visually inspect your bilge pumps. Look closely at the wiring and connections. Bilge pump wires are a frequent source of stray current corrosion (electrolysis) since even a small cut in the insulation will allow electrical current to flow into the water. Green spots in the wires and connections are a sure sign of bad things and should be attended to before departing. Also, secure wires as high as possible above the bilge water.

Your engine's wire harness lives a tough life of vibration and heat. You may not want to take a wrench to every nut and bolt, but try to touch every connection to check for loose wires and battery cables. Give a little tug on each wire to make sure it's crimped tightly, they will work loose over the years if they are not soldered and secured.

Try to look everywhere you have electrical wires - behind circuit breaker panels, windlass wiring, lazerette, engine rooms, etc. A lot of problems can be seen by casual observers. Corrosion isn't hard to spot if you're looking for it. In electrical systems it's almost always the color green. Anytime you see green stuff coming out of a wire, motor, connection, etc, you have an electrical problem.

A prior inspection of the boat's electrical system will save you a few headaches down Mexico way, I'll bet a margarita on it.

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 a sailing question for Brett, send e-mail to brett@BlueSkyNews.com.

Between the Sheets - Copper, How Will it Affect Boating In the Future
By Richard Benscoter
The holiday season is here; crisp winds and clear skies are an excellent time to venture forth and enjoy the day on the bay or off the coast.

Most boaters I know are among the most environmentally conscious about our bays and waterways, but as you are probably aware, recent studies have indicated that copper in our water has been exceeded in many of the marinas and basins in San Diego bay.

The blame for this is primarily assigned to the copper in the bottom paint we have on our boats. There are many others sources in our environment which storm drains carry into the ocean and bays through storm drains which carry copper residue from sources such as car brakes, etc., but the main culprit is copper-based bottom paint. The Port of San Diego has $100,869 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to assist with finding different types of bottom coatings that boaters could use that wouldn't harm the environment

As certain deadlines for fixing this problem approach, all levels of government are studying and dealing with ways to come into compliance with copper loading limits in our bays and marinas also known as TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load).

On the boating side of things, the main emphasis is on finding cost-effective alternatives to our current bottom paints.

As boaters, we will all be affected eventually by the decisions made to solve the copper problem. For more information about TMDL, Click Here. We need to keep in tune with what is transpiring and support positive efforts in doing the right thing so our bays and ocean are pollution free and available to the future boaters.

Have a great Holiday season and I look forward to meeting you at the San Diego Boat show in January.

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.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Tip of the Month
Hypothermia and PFD's
By Bob Simons
This is the time of year when our water temperature drops below sixty degrees. As you probably are aware, your conscientious survival time if you are immersed in water below sixty drops to approximately one hour.

I mention "conscientious survival time" because you may live up to four hours in these temperatures, but only if you are wearing a PFD Personal Flotation Device).

The new technologies in PFDs have advanced greatly since the old yellow jackets that many of us still carry on our boats to make them legal. I think probably the best of today's PFDs are the suspender kind because they are so comfortable to wear and provide great flotation. They come in automatic and manual so depending on your boating style they are very versatile. I sail alone in my 24' sailboat and wear the automatic, but when I'm on Coast Guard patrol I wear the manual inflatable because of the likelihood I'll be rapidly recovered from the water.

PFD coats have also come a long way. Wearing one a few years ago was very uncomfortable unless you were standing. The new coats are far less bulky and comfortable and even come in inflatable styles. Most of our body heat is lost through the top of the head so in the winter wearing a hat for warmth is as important as wearing it for sun protection. For more information about the PFDs I mention in this article, Click Here.

The issue is that you must wear some sort of a PFD to make it worthwhile. Accidents happen on boats and if they happen when it's cold they can be deadly. Hypothermia, which happens when the core temperature of your body drops below 95, is the most frequent cause of winter causalities and it is so easy to prevent.

The bottom line? Wear your PFD and cover your head - that's all there is to it. (Of course it'd be a good idea not to fall in the water too!).

See you next time; and happy holiday cruising!

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. Bob is also the co-owner of Seabreeze Books and Charts in Point Loma.

Nautical Trivia - Eight Bells and All is Well
Using bells to keep time aboard ship began when all they had was a half-hour glass to rely on for the changing of the four-hour watch. Each time the sand ran out, it was the job of the ship's boy to turn over the glass. In order to show that he was doing the job, he was instructed to strike a bell each time he did it. From there, the practice of striking one through eight bells naturally evolved so sailors could tell how far into their watch they were.