Sun Harbor Marina Minute
Welcome to the April 2008 Sun Harbor Marina newsletter.

Well, March and daylight savings time are here - before you know it, April's Spring fever will be in full pitch and you'll all be longing to single up all lines and head out for the blue water.

What's In Your Wallet?
Did you know that many local businesses offer our Sun Harbor Marina tenants a discount if you show your tenant card? A few new businesses have recently joined the list. Discounts are available from High Seas Fuel Dock, Holiday Inn (discount on rooms, and complimentary amenities), Miguel's Cocina (20% discount), Point Break Cafe (10% off all food), Grape Connections (20% off wine), Big Al's Seaside Deli (which is currently under new ownership, and is offering a 10% discount) and other places.

Now, Harbor Greek Cafe is also offering 25% off on all entrees. We've also got a few other businesses in the works so you'll be getting an update on that very soon! So come up and pick up your tenant card, and as an extra sweet bonus, pick up a coupon for a free giant messy sundae with purchase at Sammy's Woodfired Pizza. Come to the office to pick up your 2008 tenant card.



More on Copper Bottom Boat Paints
As you know, Sun Harbor is a LEED certified marina, so we try to keep up on endeavors of the greener sort.

One of the major problems here is TMDLs, or total maximum daily loads. On Shelter Island, all marinas are on the TMDL list, meaning that their water is getting monitored and copper here is at an all-time high.

Not only does this affect the tenants, but it affects the sea-life as well. Copper is a biocide, and a heavy metal to boot. The way copper paint works, is that it is an ablative (meaning that due to the water moving against it and other factors, a new layer of copper biocide is exposed every so often) and kills anything that has attached itself to the boat.

Many people believe that copper paints will become the next tributyltin. For more information on tributyltin, read more about it .

Back in 1988, the US Congress banned tin paints on boats because of their adverse affects not only on mollusks, but on marine mammals as well. Copper is a heavy metal. Instead of spreading out into the water, it falls where it is released. So, most slips with a copper bottom boat inside are likely to have a lot of copper in the sediment below. With all the adverse affects of copper on the environment, many companies are coming out with alternatives, such as epoxies, CeramKote and zinc omadine.

The epoxies are a great alternative to copper, although you have to strip the bottom before it is applied. Although their life is shorter (8-12 months) and it requires more diver cleanings. There's also the CeramKote, which is guaranteed to last 10 years. It may initially seem more expensive than the epoxies, but most likely, the costs will be less than the current copper coatings applied more frequently..

Another option is the zinc omadine paints. Zinc omadine is a commonly found compound, which is not only in bottom paint, but in diaper rash cream, sunscreen, and other household items. Hull cleaning is minimal, and if the boat is extremely active, it may not need hull cleaning at all. Most zinc paints work as an ablative, just like copper. Initial studies have indicated that unlike copper, zinc paints dissipate, and can not be found in the surrounding water or sediment. It is a little more expensive, like all of the other options, but it's good for the environment, and your conscience. Touch base with your favorite boat yard for more details. .

Welcome Aboard
Sun Harbor extends a warm welcome aboard to Rick Diederichsen on "Jo Java" in slip B-71. Stop by and say hello to Rick when you get a chance.

How To Dispose of Your Old Batteries
Please do not leave your batteries by a trash can or dumpster and make it someone else's problem. It is your responsibility to dispose of batteries and other hazardous waste materials including fuel.

If you need a list of places to take your fuel or batteries don't hesitate to call us at the marina office. There's also a list on our web site and also on the bulletin board next to the gate to the dock.

Some we know about - For fuel and oil you can go to Pearson's Fuel Dock (Chevron), 2435 Shelter Island Dr, (619) 222-7084

Most auto supply stores will take old batteries. Powerstride Battery Company, 3450 Kurtz St # B, (619) 260-1211 and Kragen Auto Parts, 2750 Midway, (619) 224-0065 are two we know about.

For paint & varnish you can go to the Miramar Landfill, 5165 Convoy Street, (858) 573.1415

Plunging Into Another Topic...
Please help us keep our pumpout in good working condition. Toward that end, please refrain from disposing any plastic, latex or the like into your heads. These items clog the plumbing of the pumpout system as they are pumped out of your holding tank.

Calendar of events:
Annual Port of San Diego 's Day at the Docks
Sunday, April 20, 2008
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

• Day At The Docks is the West coast's largest public celebration of sportfishing. The event is free and will be held at the Sportfishing Landings in Point Loma. Click here for more information.

Operation Clean Sweep
Saturday, June 7, 2008
8:30 am -11:30 am

• You may recall that last year the operation included Sun Harbor Marina. If you weren't able to pitch in during the 2007 event, take a look at your calendar for this year.
  
  Operation Clean Sweep is looking for volunteers. For more information on how you can be involved contact The San Diego Port Tenants Association. Phone: 619-226-6546 or email: kristin@sdpta.com.

Support our Veterans! Save a Tree!
Donate your already-read magazines to be enjoyed again by a Veteran. Just leave donated magazines in the basket marked "Veteran Magazine Donations." Chris Donnelly will take the magazines to the VA Hospital. Thanks Chris for thinking of our Veterans.

Things That Can and Can't Be Recycled
Here is a list of a few things which can and cannot be recycled.

Things that cannot be recycled:

• Milk Cartons
• Clothing
• Textiles
• Shoes
• Round Dairy Tubs
• Plastic Pots
• Ceramics
• Grocery bags (these can be recycled at many area grocery stores)
• Batteries
• Plastic Cups
• Plastic Utensils
• Glassware (though recyclable glass bottles can be)
• Styrofoam
• Toxic Product Containers

Things that can be recycled:

• Newspaper
• Mixed-paper
• Cardboard
• Glass bottles and jars
• #1 and #2 plastic containers
• Plastic beverage bottles #1-7
• Empty aerosol cans
• Aluminum cans
• Aluminum foil
• Paper bags
• Bagged shredded paper
• Phone books
• Paper boxes
• Frozen food boxes
• Mail & magazines
• Paper and catalogs

Please dispose of your things that can be recycled in the East dumpster (by Murphy's Canvas).

Great Opportunity!!
We have a 626 SQ. FT Waterfront Office Space for Lease, contact me at 619-222-1167 for information.

That's it For Now
I hope you all have a great Spring boating season. 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

Between the Sheets - You Can Go Back!
- By Richard Benscoter
Sometimes when I'm sailing, I find myself wondering what it must have been like in those days of iron men and wooden ships whose passion it was to hoist as much canvas as a boat would carry to put her hard on the wind. Last week I got to find out - I got to take a ride on The America, and it was awesome.

In 1851, the British had sought to test their supremacy of the seas by challenging the United States to a sailing race. The newly formed New York Yacht Club took up the challenge, and for the sum of $45,000, commissioned a 90 foot schooner to be built to meet the challenge. Thus began the life of the schooner "America".

America's raked masts and unusual appearance were the topic of conversation in England preceding the race, but the British were confident that one of the fifteen British entries would emerge victorious against America.

As history reports, America was victorious in the "Round the Isle of Wight Race" for a Cup of One Hundred Sovereigns; now renamed the Americas Cup after the Schooner America.

The original America was destroyed as she awaited restoration in 1942 when a snow covered boat house roof collapsed. A replica of the original yacht was lovingly built in 1995 by an American yachting enthusiast in New York, and she is now berthed in San Diego. She's an exquisite vessel that is steeped in tradition, but sails as if the hydrodynamics and aerodynamics were of today's Americas cups yachts.

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 -
Which Flares Do I Really Need?
-By Bob Simons
Technically and legally you need to have three current day/night flares on board your vessel if you are a pleasure boat of less than 75 feet. These can be pyrotechnic, or hand held. The flares have an expiration date printed on the side that indicates the month/year they go out of date, usually three years after you buy them.

Now in reality, what should you have for boating in Southern California? If you are strictly a bay cruiser, the minimum standards are probably OK. But if you go offshore fishing or ocean cruising you should consider going beyond the minimum legal standard. This might be your last hope of rescue, so "minimum" really is a direct reflection on what you feel about you, your family and your boat?

When I do Vessel Safety Checks, I recommend a couple of Orange Smoke flares be added to your emergency kit. The orange smoke is visible for miles during daylight, as opposed to the regular flares that do not put out smoke and are more suitable for night.

For larger vessels, I recommend at least one parachute flare. They are incredibly bright and can be seen for miles at night.

Many of the flare kits have the small flare gun with three shells. It is very important to remember that these flares go up about 100 feet and come right down. Unless you are looking directly in their direction, you probably wouldn't notice them. Use them when you have your rescue vessel in sight and they are facing you.

SOLAS emergency equipment is what is required for larger and commercial vessels. These flares are of the superior quality and brightness and are considered the highest benchmark for safety internationally. They are more expensive than the safety equipment usually used on pleasure boats. If you are venturing far offshore you should consider this upgrade.

Out of date flares are always a question. Should I keep them on board? I recommend that flares are probably OK for three years after their expiration date but should then be disposed of at your local fire station. We have had a problem with some out of date flares suddenly burning from both ends or splitting which are obviously very dangerous situations.

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.

Knight & Carver Named Boatyard of the Year
Award Presented by American Boat Builders & Repairers Assoc.
National City's Knight & Carver YachtCenter has been honored by the American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA) as the nation's most outstanding repair yard for 2007.

The ABBRA award is made to the vessel repair company that clearly "demonstrates excellence in all facets of business through commitment to customer relations, quality management, and positive vendor and employee relations. The award was presented in Atlanta at ABBRA's annual conference.

Sinking U.S. Dollar a Boon to International Yacht Buyers
It wasn't that long ago that the Euro was trading at .88 to the dollar; that is, one US dollar would buy .88 Euros. As of late February, the Euro costs 1.5 dollars.

What that means is that a yacht buyer with 200,000 Euros in his pocket could buy a $176,000 yacht in the U.S. back then, but today he can get one worth $300,000 U.S.

With many other world currencies enjoying similar advantages over the U.S. dollar, some San Diego yacht brokers are starting to see international buyers knocking on the door.









Sales Tax Law Remains Under Threat
- By Bob Sherman
We almost lost the "90 Day Yacht Club" sales tax exemption again. The current law allows vessels purchased "offshore" or out of state to avoid paying California sales or use tax. The yacht must be kept out of state for more than 90 days, out of the first six months, and other important conditions must be met as well.

The California State Senate actually passed a measure on February 15th, changing the 90-day requirement back to 365 days. The new law was to take effect immediately, once passed... unlike 2004, when there was some lead time. Fortunately, the House Assembly defeated the measure... for now. Assembly Democrats have pledged to try again to pass the bill, but it is not known when.

According to Attorney Paul Trusso, "Our best guess is that the State is not likely to revisit the issue until the big budget battle, likely to occur in June." In any case, if someone is considering a boat purchase, and are planning to utilize the "90 day rule" to avoid paying the sales tax, they should consider making a move soon!

If passed, the measure is expected increase state revenue by $21 million per year, based on previous years. However, the obvious argument is that countless marine businesses suffer as a result of those yachts spending that first year out of state. While most medium-priced yacht buyers will simply pay the tax, the most expensive ones will stay out of California for that first year. And the first year is when new owners are most likely to spend big bucks in upgrading or enjoying their new toys.

If the 365 day rule is reinstated, it will not only discourage boat buyers, it will be detrimental to most everyone in the marine industry.

Editor's Note: Bob Sherman has over 19 years of Yacht sales experience and is the owner of YachtSource. He is also qualified to instruct on all vessel types, and has held 100-ton Captain's license since 1982. He is an avid sailor, and scuba diver. You can send an e-mail to Bob at bobsherman@BlueSkyNews.com



Red Bull Air Race
The Red Bull Air Race World Series is returning to San Diego on Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd and 4th. We're the second stop on their nine nation tour this year.

This year the race is combined with the kick-off of San Diego's Fleet Week, which among other things means that the planes will likely be taking off and landing at the Naval Air Station on Coronado instead of from Brown Field and Montgomery like they did last year.

There are so many great vantage points to see the action both on the Coronado and San Diego sides of the bay that it's hard to choose where to go. On Coronado, anywhere from the bridge to the Naval Air Station will work. On the San Diego side, Seaport Village North and South Embarcadero are the best viewing locations.

If you can situate yourself near one of Red Bull's unbelievably huge jumbo-tron screens, they show crystal clear live shots and narration from the cockpit of the planes as they twist and turn through the pylons shooting for the best time through the course.

Another amazing thing to see is the full scale air traffic control tower they build on the grass behind the Convention Center.

Parking is definitely an issue, so if you're bringing a car, the advice is to bring your patience and arrive as early as you can. The best bet is to use the trolley system or one of the shuttles. The Harbor Police are working with the other city agencies to improve the parking situation substantially this year..

Of course, if you're a boater, you can see the action on the bay. If you're going to take your boat out to see the race, here's what you need to know.

First, there will be periods of closures of portions of San Diego bay both during setup days and the race itself. There will be times when you can't traverse between Shelter Island and the bridge, and also some temporary access closures to places like the Marriott Marina.

Second, the Coast Guard will let you get as close to the safety zone as possible, but don't anchor in the channel. You can only anchor outside the channel and outside the safety zone.

We recommend you check the Red Bull Air Race web site before you head out for the show. They will have copmplete ticketing info, parking info, and tons of other tips about how to enjoy the event to the fullest; and of course, the latest schedule of events.

Enjoy the show, and don't forget to take the camera!






















BlueSkyNews.com Fishing Report
Rockfish Season is Finally Here
- By Jason Coz
March 1st marked the opening of Rockfish season; the day we had all been looking forward to..

In February, the live squid moved in by the tonnage off La Jolla, so there's been some really good White Sea Bass catches there. We've made a few bait runs for some of that squid to use instead of anchovy to catch some of that great Sea Bass.

And there's still a few Yellowtail hanging around feeding on the live squid, but most of those catches have been made before the sun comes up.

Other February catches have included Calico Bass, Mackerel, Sand Bass, and Sculpin.

Enjoy the season - see you on the ocean!.

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 jason@BlueSkyNewscom

Care and Maintenance of Your Sails
- By Brad Poulos
Recently I covered two areas to minimize damage to your sails: preparation of the boat and rig, and the proper treatment of the sails on board. This month I'll cover some FAQs on the care and maintenance of sails.

Sails that have been used frequently, or in heavy weather should be washed at the end of each season, preferably by your local sailmaker. If that's not possible, soak the sails in a warm soap solution for a couple of hours, then hose them off thoroughly.

Make sure they are completely dry before folding. If the sails are particularly dirty, add a small amount of bleach to the water before soaking. Dirty spots can be lightly scrubbed. Laminate sails should be hosed off, dried and folded. Try not to soak or scrub them.

Stain Removal
Blood and Mildew: Soak the stained area in a mild bleach solution for two hours; scrub lightly.

Rust: Rust removers are offered under many commercial names and are available at just about any hardware store. Just make sure you rinse the cleaned area thoroughly.

Oil, Grease, and Tar: Dab the stained area with acetone or lighter fluid and then rub the stain with clean rags. Once the stain is lightened, scrub the area with a detergent and water solution. Rinse all the acetone out of the material.

Storing Your Sails
All sails should be folded or rolled in a manner that avoids sharp creases. Sails should be stored under well-ventilated, clean conditions. Dampness, which may encourage mildew, should be avoided. While mildew growth does not affect the strength of sails, it can cause unsightly stains that are not easily removed.

Back to the Loft
It is very important to the life and strength of your sails that you return them to your sailmaker's loft once a year for inspection, any necessary refurbishing, and washing. This practice can add years to the life of your sails and help you to get the most out of them in terms of speed and appearance. See you on the water!

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@BlueSkyNews.com.

Some Tips About Charging Your Boat's Batteries
- By Brett Dingerson
Battery technology has seen a tremendous funding increase in research and development lately, due in large part to oil hanging around $100 a barrel. They play such a huge part of your boat's electrical system I thought it might be a good idea to review the basics of battery charging.

Battery capacity is measured in amp/hours. A 100 amp/hour battery, for example, will power a 10 amp load for 10 hours. Batteries are connected together in order to increase their total capacity and limit the number of charging cycles. The capacity of a battery bank is important because that's what determines how best they can be charged.

There are a few simple rules that govern proper battery charging;
1. Limit discharges to 50% of capacity. Discharge levels below 50% can damage the battery.

2. When charging times are limited it makes little sense to recharge above 80% state of charge. Alternators must reduce their charge current when the batteries get above a certain voltage or they will overcharge and damage the batteries. Recharging from 50% to 80% can occur fairly rapidly, but then the charge current will taper off and reaching full recharge can take hours. It's not worth it in diesel fuel costs.

3. Ensure a full recharge at least once a month to prevent sulfate build-up on the plates of the batteries. This procedure is known as equalization, and consists of raising the voltage to approximately 2.6 volts per cell for a few hours. That works out to 15.6 volts for a 12 volt system. Lead-acid and AGM batteries can be equalized, Gel cell batteries cannot.

4. There is little point in having an alternator that exceeds 30%-40% of the battery bank capacity. As previously mentioned; alternators reduce their charge rate fairly quickly. Having a large alternator charge a small bank is a waste of money.

5. Sustained loads should not exceed 25% of the battery bank's capacity. If you run an inverter a lot, for example, make sure you have the batteries to do so easily. Abusing your batteries with frequent large discharges will shorten their life.

There are a lot of new batteries being developed for the automobile industry. They are currently very expensive, but should come down in price as the technology matures. I'll keep you informed as new products are introduced to the market. Hopefully the cost will be competitive with current batteries before too much longer. Wouldn't it be nice to buy a set of bulletproof batteries that never need water and would last for 10 years?

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

Aircraft Carriers in Mission Bay?
Not really - But did you know that in the early 1800s, the San Diego River carried a fair amount of water, and did not confine itself to any one path to the ocean.

Some years the river emptied into San Diego Bay. In other years, it would flow across a wide delta into the smaller bay to the north.

The silt it carried built sand bars and eventually blocked many channels. To protect the main harbor from these deposits, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decided to make the Mission Bay route of the river permanent. To do that, they built a dike just south of the present flood channel, extending northeasterly from what is now the junction of Midway Drive and Frontier Street. The building of this dike decided the supremacy of San Diego Bay.

Eventually, to solve the silt problem, the current jetty system was built in the 1950s to divert the river past Mission Bay.

Editors Note: Source - San Diego Journal of History. Click Here to read more about the fascinating history of Mission Bay.