ptyc.net

 Spring is here. Thank goodness that we are much better off than the rest of the US. Just remember if you dress for the weather then the weather will not stop you from having a good time.

Thanks goes out to the April Watch – Macy Galbreath & Bill Rothert, Captains, Mike and Sandy Smith, Dave and Ann Sweat, Houlton and Duane Madinger. Our thanks also goes out to Diane and Viktor Grabner for our Mystery Bay Brats and Knots Cruise. Those Brats were the best. We should also thank Chelcie Liu for getting us organized for the April 21st, Earth Day Clean-Up of Mystery Bay.

We send out a big thank you to Rick and Macy who did an excellent job on our 2012 Roster. Our 2012 PTYC ID cards are available for you to pick up.

We are going to end April with an Open Boat social event in Port Hadlock Marina on Sunday, April 29th. Plan to visit PTYC members’ boats from 2-4:30 in the afternoon and make reservations to stay for dinner at Ferino’s Pizzaria in Port Hadlock afterwards. I will hope to see you on board our Main Cat 47, “Sweet Spot,” during the event.  (more…)

We look back to a very good start to this year. The submarine tour was great. Even after visiting the sub, it is hard to imagine living in such close quarters for 4 to 5 months. Our thanks goes out to these young men (and women) for being out there to protect us from the unthinkable. Thanks Bill Rothert for all your work setting up this tour.

We also have a budget to guide us through the year. Our number of members that have rejoined is about what we estimated so we should be able to have a good year at the current dues. Looking forward to next year, we may have to cut some expenses or increase the dues.

Thanks goes out to the February watch – Marilynne Gates (and Roger), Harry and Zoe Ann Dudley, Greg & Sheryl Kerkof, John and Stephanie Oliveria. I thought the speaker, Captain Mike Novak, was very informative and practical about maintaining our boats below the water line. Thanks Marilynne, for working so hard to get a speaker on Valentine’s Day.

The signups for the 2012 Committees have almost filled up the positions with only a few events later in the year still open. Thanks.

I will be traveling and will not be able to attend the March board meeting or general meeting.
March 30-April 1, is our first cruise of 2012. Cruise Captains Viktor and Diane Grabner are planning a “Knots & Brats” April Fool’s Cruise to Mystery Bay. It will be good to be with PTYC members on the water again and shake our boats down after winter’s hibernation. Be sure to let Viktor and Diane know if you plan on attending, by signing up at the March General Meeting or via e-mail: diane@therosewood@hotmail.com. Let’s have fun!

Vince Verneuil, Commodore

WOW ! ! ! What a great start to the new year with the celebration of the Change of Watch. If you missed it, I am sorry. Fred and Ilona Bell were the leads in putting it on and deserve a big Thank You. It was a celebration of Fred’s grand year and Ilona had a Power Point slide show bring back wonderful memories of all our events. Thanks, Fred, for leading us through another great year. Everyone should go to the web site and spend time watching 2011 pass by. It is really great. Helping Fred and Ilona Bell, were Gary and Cindy Walsh, Carl and Sue Sidle, Dale and Susie Pool Moses, Sandi Rezinas and Mary Ann Verneuil. Thanks goes to Bill Bloemker for stepping in as MC. It looked like Bill, but sounded a little different than I remembered.

In my presentation at the Change of Watch, I set the course as “Steady as She Goes,” trying to continue our good times for the past 63 years. I would like to ask everyone to “Join in the Fun” by joining our committees or participating in the watch service. Our members are some of the greatest people around and once you get to know them, they are fun people.

The cruise trips are still one of the best means to get to know your fellow members. I would like to encourage everyone to join in a number of cruises to really get the benefits of Club membership. This year we have a number of local cruises that you can drive to, if you cannot take your boat or hitch a ride with someone.

We should also thank Cathy and Alan Lapat, Dale and Susie Poole Moses, Beth and Joe Burson and Craig Kurath for being on watch for the January meeting. Thanks, Bill Rothert, for your program informing us on Submarines so we are ready for the tour in February. We will try not to embarrass you.

I look forward to seeing you at our regular meeting on February 14, where the 2012 Budget will be presented. Let’s have Fun!

Vince Verneuil, Commodore

“…and he sailed into the sunset”. This classic fragment of literature has been employed countless times to describe a poetic, serene departure. In my case it might better be described as “…engines thundering, belching diesel soot and kicking up a nasty wake, he slammed the throttles forward and launched into the churning maelstrom, his Admiral desperately clinging to the wildly bucking vessel for dear life”. Ah, pleasure boating!  However it is described, this is my last Column as depart I must.

A very special thank you to our December Watch Mike and Sandy Smith, Sue McKay, Paul Happel, Macy Galbreath and Bill Rothert. The delicious dessert was enjoyed by all. And of course, a very special thank you to our premier guest speaker, Santa Claus. Santa, aka Vince Verneuil, lead a fascinating pop-quiz on “Santa Claus through the ages”. It was a lot of fun but I still do not get why reindeer were chosen over other fleet-footed beasts; a team of Pegasus, for example, with wings already built-in?

The Holiday Party, held December 10^th at the Clubhouse, was incredibly festive and fun. The tropical theme this year was highlighted by delicious tropical cuisine including Rick Rezinas’ version of Kailua (pulled) pork that was better, in my opinion, than that served at commercial luaus on the Hawaiian Islands!  A great time was had by all! (more…)

Ahoy PTYC Members!

It’s hard to believe that the holidays are upon us yet again; a joyous and happy time to share with friends, community and family. It’s also hard to grasp that 2011 is rapidly coming to a close and the end of my tenure as Commodore. Still, all good things come to an end and good it has been!

 A very special thank you to our November Watch Mary Grace Swift and Bob Steele, and Mori Whitney and Katherine Buchanan. The delicious dessert was enjoyed by all. Also, a special thank you to our own Dan Newland for his riveting presentation on hull-form dynamics, sail area/displacement/aspect ratio/keel depth coefficients and Bernoulli’s Principle. The wave tank demonstration was not to be missed!

Our November Crab Feast was unparalleled in its success, with all the fresh cooked crab, potatoes, coleslaw, bread and dessert one can eat. This annual event was very well attended and my thanks to our Crab Feast Captains Barb and Paul Hager and their crew of cooks, preparers and servers for a truly great event. 

Our “Spooktacluar” costume party held just before Halloween was a lot of fun with everyone showing up in costume. Prizes were handed out for especially cool costumes and, as a followup, you might want to ask Club member Paul Happel about his imaginary companion he brought to the party on a leash. Very cute but he does bite! (more…)

Ahoy PTYC Members!

I enjoy every season of the year, but Fall is my favorite. Our world is a vision reminiscent of a impressionist pallet with broad stokes of color splashed across the landscape; cool bracing air; a glowing fireplace with a cup of hot cider, Fall just tugs at your soul like no other season!

A special thank you and salute to our October Watch Shelly and Galen Peterson, and Mary and Dave Weeding. Delicious pumpkin pie was enjoyed by all. Also, a special thank you is in order for our guest speaker Richard Prindell owner of H₂Out. Richard’s spirited presentation was not only informative but entertaining as well. As noted at the meeting H₂Out products are available at several locations in town.

The Bell Harbor Cruise is scheduled for Monday thru Thursday December 5-8. This a wonderful time to visit Seattle, shop, eat and be merry. Slips have been reserved and members should immediately call Cruise Captian Carlyn Stark if attending. The Holiday Cruise to Bell Harbor is the last remaining organized Club cruise for the year, but please know that any member may lead an impromptu short cruise if they desire; simply send out a List Serve announcement and see who shows up. (more…)

Ahoy PTYC Members!

What a fabulous fall we have enjoyed with marvelously warm and sunny weather. I hope many of you had a chance to cruise during these balmy days. Alas, winter is coming but my wife and I truly enjoy the fall season in the pacific northwest with intermittant dry days to extend the boating season.

 A special thank you and salute to our September Watch Chelcie and Kathy Liu, and Tim and Janice Hodge. Delicious apple pie with ice cream were enjoyed by all, however, the Watch reported significant leftovers so members are advised to eat more!  Also, a special thank you is in order for Club member Dale Moses for his presentation on kayaking in the Salish Sea region. As he noted, our cold water and strong currents pose certain risks that must be anticipated in order to ensure personal safety. Many of our members kayak and Dale’s insights were much appreciated by all.

The August social “Commodore Crush,” at our home in Port Ludlow, was very well attended and I believe everyone had a pleasant time. My personal thanks to all who stopped by!   (more…)

 Ahoy PTYC Members!

The passing of the summertime hiatus for publishing the Baggywrinkle brings us ever closer to another turn of the seasons, except that, I am still waiting for winter to turn to summer (never mind about spring). Just a few days ago I woke up to a foggy morning and it was 53 degrees outside, 53 DEGREES! Ok, ok to be fair we did see 70 degrees one afternoon but that was two weeks ago last Thursday! And it was only one day! I expect the ice sheets to begin weeping out of Canada any day now. I know I shouldn’t complain but just a little heat would be nice!

 June, July and August have been busy with Club cruises, socials and programs including: fantastic cruises to Pleasant Harbor (Cruise Captains Sue and Carl Sidle); Telegraph Harbor (Cruise Captains Bill Rothert and Macy Galbreath and Vince and Mary Ann Verneuil); and, a festive 4^th of July cruise to Reid Harbor (Mike and Barb Soskin and Ken and Ila Mikkelsen). Thank you cruise captains all!  Member camaraderie and shared events were excellent; even the weather was near perfect so, you see, I have little to complain about after all. 

 A special thank you and salute to all the members who helped setup the June Soup and Salad Potluck, the July Pizza Party and August Potluck.  A special thank you is in order for our June Meeting speaker, Commander Martin, providing an overview of the Indian Island Magazine mission and to Ed Jennerich, RBAW President (Recreational Boating Association of Washington, for his update on boating related legislative issues at the July gathering.  July activities also included dinner at El Serape Mexican Restaurant.        Also, a special salute to Club members Dave Weeding and Galen Peterson for their August presentation of their famous “Round Vancouver Island” cruise. My profound thanks to all who attended these PTYC events.  (more…)

Ahoy PTYC Members!

Spring 2011, they say, is the coldest on record but every few days a sunny summer teaser comes along and the world glows. We boaters appreciate good weather more than most since our water borne interest exposes us to the elements in a very personal way. Wet, dry or windy we are in the middle of it and subject to its whims!

A special thank you and salute to our May Watch Linda and Dan Newland. A delicious desert and related goodies were enjoyed by all. Again, my thanks. Also, a special thank you is in order for Rodger Slade and his team for stepping in with an informative presentation related to boating safety and rescue matters. As you will recall, unexpectedly, the scheduled presenter could not make it so Club member Macy Galbreath contacted West Marine at the last minute and Roger graciously stepped up.

May was a very busy month for the Club including: Open Boat at Boat Haven on May 1 (organized by Mori Whitney, Katherine Buchannan); Opening Day breakfast May 7 (organized by Barb Hager); Opening Day boat parade May 7 (organized by Jim Quant); Opening Day clam boil (organized by Dick and Carol Smith); and the Rhody Parade May 21 (organized by Rayma Mery). A profound thank you to all activity organizers and to all Club members who joined in the fun. Even though the weather was a little snotty, I think Opening Day was a great success and very well attended. (more…)

Ahoy PTYC Members!

Spring comes slowly to the verdant Pacific Northwest; but in time, the chill dampness, rain and fog gives way to warmth and sunshine and the world, and the human spirit, are renewed. The natural beauty of the Salish Sea environs is absolutely world class and we mere humans are so lucky to live here and share in its bounty. Club member Sue Sidle passed along an anonymous poem she picked some thirty years ago that, I believe, expresses our love of the region in a joyous way.

                                    Puget Sound
As happy as a butter clam when tides are high I sing
A grateful Ode to Puget Sound the land of everything.
I love it from Tulalip to Puyallup, Sequim and Pysht
And to the Dosewallips where so many times I’ve fished.
From Brinnon to the Bogachiel, from Lummi to La Push,
And from the lordly Sol Duc to the lovely Duckabush,
From the Samish to Sammamish, from Suquamish to Quilcene,
The climate is so friendly, it’s a land that’s evergreen.
There’s peace on the Skokomish, on the Queets and on the Hoh,
There’s calm on the Nisqually born of ageless ice and snow,
A land that nature loves so much she stays the whole year round.
I’d trade a Royal Palace for a shack on Puget Sound.
There’s the Chimacum and Steilacoom where spouts the geoduck.
The singing Stillaguamish and the swirling Skookumchuck,
And the Moclips and Copalis where the razor clams abound.
A little bit of heaven is a shack on Puget Sound.

A special salute to the Watch for our April General Meeting where delicious desserts shared space with a spread of seafood appetizers generously offered by Mystery Bay Seafood Company. My thanks to Watch members Bill Rothert and Macy Galbreath, Jac Mang and Corine de Boer, Mary Grace Swift and Bob Steele and Craig Kurath for their hard work. A special thanks to Leonard Johnson for the delightful offerings from Mystery Bay Catering. (more…)