Sun Harbor Marina Minute
Greetings and welcome to the October 2008 Sun Harbor Marina Newsletter. Well - Fall begins on September 22nd, so can daylight savings time and winter be far behind? Unfortunately, it will probably be here before we're ready for it.

Upcoming Events at the Marina
Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 26th - That's our last swap meet of the year at Sun Harbor Marina (and the first day of the Baja Ha-Ha). As usual the swap meet will run from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Purchase a $10 gift certificate from Pizza Nova for entry to each parking slot that you need to display your treasures.

Then on Halloween, Friday October 31st will be The Great Sun Harbor Marina Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest - this year expanded with a BBQ starting at 4:30 p.m. All entries and participants must register by Monday, October 27th. If the weather is good we will gather on the promenade; otherwise migrating to the Rec Room. Feel free to bring a dish to share, or just bring a good haunted story.

Our Chili Champion Shares Her Recipe
Congratulations again to Karen Gallagher for winning first prize at the Sun Harbor Marina Chili Cookoff Contest.

Here's here winning recipe in case you want to try it out. Thanks, Karen - and good show!

Sauté (just enough to bring out the flavor) in olive oil: mince chili peppers, onions, garlic, carrots, bell peppers, and squash. Brown ground turkey, drain, and add to vegetables. Add all tomato cans, beans, and seasonings.

Simmer on low for about 1 hour or until desired taste. More tomato sauce can be added to thin, or a tomato paste can be added to thicken

A Few Reminders
Guests and Workers at the Marina: Marina guests should be accompanied by a marina tenant. Boat workers are required to check in to the office for a dock key, and are limited to working during regular business hours. Marina tenants should direct anyone waiting at the gate to the office. Also, please report any suspicious activity to the office.

After hours, any trespassing or criminal activity should be reported to the harbor police at 619-686-6272. The marina is not responsible for lost, stolen or vandalized property. Fortunately, we have a very low incidence of theft or vandalism at Sun Harbor Marina. We are lucky to have a great community of boaters here.

Always lock your boat and take the keys with you when not on board. This includes while visiting marina restaurants, a friend's dock, or other piers. Never leave your boat accessible to others.

Thank you to those of you who have come to the office to notify us when you've observed something amiss on your neighbor's boat. We know your neighbors appreciate it, and so do we.

Dock Cart Etiquette - I want to thank those of you who make a special effort to return dock carts to the base of the main dock ramp. We all know what a pain it is to go "cart hunting", so we hope you'll all continue to be kind to your neighbors by grabbing unused carts and bringing them up on your way to the shore or return them from the parking lot before they wander off.

Hazardous Waste - Please be responsible – The recycle center is for paper, cardboard, aluminum or tin cans, glass bottles and jars, and plastic bottles. It is NOT for Household hazardous waste (HHW). Improper disposal may injure refuse-workers, pollute ground water, waterways, and our oceans, potentially destroying marine life. For these reasons improper disposal is illegal.

Used oil and oil filters, gas, transmission fluid can be recycled at many local businesses. Call the HHW Hotline (1-877-R-1-EARTH) or click here to find a recycling location nearest you. Please do not leave these items in the recycle center.

Welcome Aboard
Sun Harbor Marina is pleased to welcome aboard three new tenants this month:

B Dock 64 -Vicki Acciari - Papillon
B Dock 81 - Franklin Lomas - Oriana
A Dock 29 - William Morrison - Mary Francis
Please stop by an add your welcome when you get a chance.

That's it For Now
I hope you're all enjoy this month's newsletter, and I look forward to seeing you all at the marina!

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

Coast Guard Auxiliary Tip of the Month - About First Aid Kits
- By Bob Simons
The type of First Aid kit you carry on your boat is obviously dependent on the type of boating you are going to be doing. Cruising to the South Pacific requires a tad bit more kit than day sailing in San Diego Bay.

Any boating accident or medical emergency is much different than being on shore where you are in the immediate proximity of 911 services. At best you are going to be many minutes or hours from emergency medical services. A boat a mile or two offshore is at least thirty minutes from professional medical care under ideal circumstances.

As the Skipper, YOU are responsible for the well being of your crew and passengers. How would you handle a Heart Attack?

As an Auxiliarist, I can't tell you specifically what you need in your First Aid kit, but I can tell you what I carry on my boat, which might be a little overkill, but it's what I feel comfortable with, and it's what my crew and I are trained to use.

Every member of my crew is required to have a valid and yearly updated Red Cross CPR class. Every member of the crew is also familiar with the use of an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) that is carried on board. And, every member is trained in basic First Aid by the Auxiliary class in Patrols and the Red Cross.

I carry a basic first aid kit that I bought at Costco which I feel is sufficient for most near shore emergencies. Additionally I have a Bag Valve Mask for ventilating a patient rather than having direct contact. I also carry a box of rubber gloves (they are also handy for working in the engine compartment).

I think the important thing for you to consider is what you would do in an emergency and have a plan of action. Issuing a Mayday call is one of the first actions, but understand that your crew and passengers are depending on your training and judgment to bring them home safely.

There are a number of excellent books on this subject you might want to check out. Happy cruising!

Secrets About Sails - About the Staysail
- By Brad Poulos
The term "staysail" denotes any one of a large variety of what might be called auxiliary or supplementary sails.

Cruising sailors are most apt to carry a forestaysail, which is a smaller jib hanked onto an intermediate forestay. Its tack is set on the center line of the foredeck about a quarter of the way back from the headstay to the mast, and it's best set from an intermediate halyard about three-quarters of the way up the foretriangle.

The advantages of a double-head rig are great. When close reaching, you can get extra speed, and in heavy air you can reduce sail area while keeping the helm balanced by flying a smaller headsail off an intermediate stay close to the mast with a reefed main.

Another advantage of flying sails off an intermediate forestay is that in heavy weather crew members don't have to venture all the way out to the end of the bow, where the deck is narrowest and the waves come aboard. The forestaysail can also be used under a genoa or reacher as part of a double-head rig. The sail is most effective when the apparent wind angle is from about 45 or 50 degrees to 75 or 80 degrees off the bow.

The most common racing staysail is the "Dazy Staysail", which is a tall, narrow, very light sail used under a spinnaker when the apparent wind direction is within a range from 5 or 10 degrees forward of the beam to 20 or 25 degrees behind the beam.

The sail is intended to have its tack set on the center-line of the foredeck about one quarter to one third of the way back from the headstay to the mast. Its luff length is as great as will fit between that tack position and top of the foretriangle. Its width, or LP, is about 80% or 85% of J. A wider sail would have greater area, but would not be as effective over as great a wind speed range or within as large a range of apparent wind angles.

The Dazy is effective not only because of the area it adds to the sail plan, but also because it increases the air flow along the leeward side of the main, thus improving the efficiency of that sail as well.

Both of these staysails are set flying, meaning they are not attached to or supported by any stay. Consequently, their luff ropes must be made of a non-stretching wire or, in some cases, Kevlar.

A bit of trivia: The Dazy staysail is named after the boat that popularized it. On her way to winning the 1975 Canada's Cup, Golden Dazy used a tall narrow staysail.

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.

Dear Bob, I read your articles in BlueSkyNews newsletters, and I wonder what advice you would give about buying a boat to a prospective first-time boat owner? By the way, I would be boating on a lake.

Thanks - Tom in Longwood, Florida

Response - By Bob Simons
Tom, there are so many different factors to be taken into account that I really can't address the question specifically, but here are a few suggestions:

1. Take a Boating Safety Class from the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the Power Squadron prior to choosing the boat you want.

2. If you decide on sail (which being a sailor, I think is great), try to join a sailing club first. Frequently they will train you in small, medium and large boats, and you will get the feel of what you are comfortable with.

3. Don't fall for the salesman's line to go with the biggest boat you can afford first. When you drive by most marinas, you will notice that many of the boats are always there and they rarely go anywhere. This is often because the owner bought a boat that he/she was not capable of handling comfortably. Boating is like anything else. You want to start small and work your way up. Dennis Connors was a champion 8 foot Sabot sailor first.

4. A lot depends on whether you will be boating alone or with a crew. Sailboats up to about 25 feet can be handled easily by one person. Over 25 feet, a crew is a real asset in handling the jib and other lines. When the weather is fine, almost any boat is easily handled by one person but when you are sailing, weather can happen very quickly and other problems can come up that make singlehandling dangerous.

5. Lake sailing can be very tricky because of the surrounding countryside. Lakes are generally shallow and the seas can build very fast and with nasty chops. If there are canyons or even forests surrounding the lake, wind gusts can be sudden and devastating causing a capsize. This happened to me at Lake Houston one time and I was in the water before I even realized the wind had changed.

6. As to the cost of a first time sailboat, find a knowledgeable boater in the area to help you out and get a slightly used boat with a small cuddy cabin. Don't spend a lot of money because you don't know whether you will enjoy the experience yet.

7. Boating of any kind is fun and remember that it is supposed to be fun for your passengers also.

8. Be sure to get a Vessel Safety Check from the Coast Guard Auxiliary before you go out. It can save you a lot of grief and maybe save your life.

Editor's Note: 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. You can send an e-mail to Bob at bobsimons@BlueSkyNews.com.

Southern California Cruising Adventures - The Channel Islands
- By Frank and Martha Mowry
California's Channel Islands; what a destination! A group of four islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel) running roughly East to West and tucked in below southern California's elbow. Collectively they are a nature preserve and their rugged appearance is at once intimidating and beautiful.

Prior to setting off for the Channel Islands, a little preparation is needed. Good maps are a must with NOAA charts #18720 and 18740 recommended. The former details the northern Channel Islands destination, and the latter frames the southern California coast from San Diego to Oxnard and includes Santa Catalina, San Clemente, San Nicholas, and Santa Barbara, the southern Channel Islands.

Sailing directions are also key to fun and safety. Brian Fagan's, "The Cruising Guide to Central and Southern California" is exceptionally good in its detail descriptions including maps, pictures and refuge anchorages. The "Southern California Boaters Guide" published by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project is also helpful with aerial photographs and emergency contact numbers.

Getting there from San Diego can be by near rhumb line (about 160 nautical) or by sissy sailing, ducking in and out of harbors each night and morning! We prefer sissy sailing and take full advantage of Dana Point Harbor, Newport Harbor, and Marina del Rey. Each beautiful, accessed easily (during the day) and affording the mariner good shore facilities and several options for securing their vessel. Oh yes, the watering holes aren't bad either.

Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard California is proximate to our destination and is the usual jumping off point. The harbor is well suited for the mariner's needs with pump outs, a fuel dock, and stores close by to acquire supplies. There are several marinas and yacht clubs within the harbor. We have found the Channel Islands Harbor Marina to be especially accommodating. It is newly refurbished with excellent shore facilities, individual slips, and outstanding staff.

Anacapa, easternmost and smallest of the group has few safe anchorages because of exposure, and the first time visitor is well advised to move west to the neighbor and "the jewel" of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz. This island, the largest of the four has many anchorages, most of which offer safe harbor depending on the wind and sea conditions. Among our favorite anchorages on Santa Cruz are Smugglers Cove on the east shore and Prisoner's Harbor on the North.

Coches Prietos and Willow Anchorage on the south are also favorites. Santa Rosa has two relatively safe anchorages, Johnson Lee, on the south shore and Bechers Bay (Northwest Anchorage), a large open bight on the east. The north shore has no safe anchorages. San Miguel, the westernmost of the island group is a daunting destination for the pleasure boater. It is frequently and unpredictably buffeted by high winds and formidable seas. San Miguel should not be visited by the inexperienced mariner. The Channel Islands in general should be avoided in Santa Ana conditions.

To go ashore for landing, hiking, and camping requires permission from the Channel Islands National Park. Permits may be obtained by calling the CINP at (805) 658-5730.

Since there are no usable buoys or slips in the Channel Islands, ground tackle is very important. Your anchors should be compatible with the size of your vessel and the method of retrieval be it electric or manual windlass should be sturdy and in good working order. Even the best ground tackle, however, requires a skipper and crew who have experience setting the hook. That said, with due diligence, experience and practice, anchoring in the islands can be very gratifying.

For your exertions in planning the trip to the islands, the transit to and from and the sharpening of your mariner skills, you are rewarded by a daytime sky filled with birds; a nighttime sky with stars like you will never see ashore; and a sea teaming with seals, sea lions, schools of fish, dolphins, and yes, an occasional whale. And it is quiet! - So very quiet!

From the Eco-Detective - Breathing Easier and Healthier on Your Boat
- By Russ Grandinetti
If you think about it, a major difference between a boat or yacht and a building is that there are very few sources of fresh air.

This is especially true of all dark compartments like cupboards, storage bins, bilges, and spaces below the waterline. Mold and viruses can collect in these spaces, and even in the HVAC air ducts themselves if the vessel has been sitting closed up for a while.

In my job as the Eco-Detective at Knight & Carver, we keep the environment healthy (and smelling fresh) on medium to large vessels by installing air purification units in the air ducts. These units are manufactured by the RGF Environmental Group.

On land, these electrically powered units are used to eliminate "sick building syndrome" risks by reducing odors, air pollutants, VOCs (chemical odors), smoke, mold, bacteria and viruses with Photohydroionization (PHI) Technology. That's a fancy word that basically means "air-friendly oxidizers".

To complete the job, we also install special units that can pump oxidized gas into tanks, and we use those to treat both the grey water and black water tanks.

The editor tells me I don't have the space to write a novel here, but if I did, I'd tell you about the 58' Grand Banks we outfitted with this technology, and what the reaction of the owner of an identical Grand Banks said when they came aboard. They were amazed at the complete absence of unwanted aromas. Their exact words; "it smells like a rain forest right after a downpour!".

See you next month when we'll talk about water purification.

Russ Grandinetti is a noted megayacht captain with a background in marine sciences and oceanography. He is now the Green Products and Services Manager for Knight & Carver YachtCenter in National City, Ca. For more information about the product highlighted in this article or other eco-friendly products, e-mail Russ with your questions and suggestions.










Between the Sheets - About Those Unwanted Boat Bouquets
- By Richard Benscoter
Most of us have experienced the unpleasant fragrance upon opening up our boat for a weekend of fun and relaxation. The majority of the time, the odor is from your marine sanitation device (MSD) system but with a little general maintenance and understanding you can clear the air.

Every boat is different, but they all will have a head, holding tank with vent, usually a macerator pump and valve for overboard discharge, and an on-deck pump out access. Waste will begin to break down and vent the gas as a byproduct overboard. This is especially noticeable when the head is flushed.

If you smell rotten eggs the first time you use your head after it sits for a week or two, it is natural as microscopic organisms die and decompose in the salt water inlet line and emit a large amount of gas.
I have found that chemical treatments work to a point but are not acceptable for eliminating odors. The best treatment is dock-side flushing with fresh water after you pump out your holding tank. Re-fill the tank with fresh water and pump it out repeatedly until the pump out hose sight is clear. This can take as many as four times or more to get it clean

On a related issue, be aware that saltwater and uric acid can produce calcium scale inside marine toilets and discharge hoses. This can cause the toilet to get progressively harder to flush, and can even lead to total blockage. To counteract this, pour a pint of white vinegar into the bowl once a month and pump it slowly-a single stroke every few minutes-through the toilet. The mildly acidic vinegar will dissolve the fresh scale deposits.

Hoses in the MSD system can also get permeated over time with waste odors and make your compartments and boat smell. To minimize this, wipe the hoses with a clean cotton rag or towel up and down the hose from the head to the holding tank. Go on deck and smell the rag - if there is an unpleasant odor, your hoses and vent line need changed.

To eliminate that unpleasant odor from expelled gas when you flush your head, you can install a charcoal filter in the vent line. This will take care of venting gas odors, but be cautioned that if you ever over fill your holding tank and waste gets to this filter it will be useless, and require changing. That could also lead to a clogged vent line and then the holding tank can't be pumped out or macerated out.

If this happens, the most common cause is a collapsed or clogged vent line. When replacing the vent line always check and clear the vent fitting in the holding tank and the overboard vent fitting.

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.

Nautical Trivia of the Month