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June 1, 2008 |
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Cher and I just finished cleaning the boat, putting tons of stuff away, paying the gas credit card bill and then Diann and Steve sends out a list of 8 more summer cruises. WOW! I hope no one ever calls this an inactive club. No question, there is something for everyone and every size boat on their list. If you’re into overnighters, we got ‘ya covered. If you want a close by lunch cruise, we got ‘ya covered. If you want to explore new places like the Rum Runner in Cape Coral for a day cruise, you’re covered on that one too.
It’s a lot of work to put together a cruise and much appreciation goes to our Fleet Captains for their extraordinary efforts. I hope you will sign up for as many as you can and see why we are always so anxious to post our pictures on our web site as soon as we get back.
One more note about cruising. We discussed “boat pooling” at our May meeting and I think we all agree that it’s a terrific idea. No question that our first mates enjoy the company and I know I sure enjoy sharing the helm as well as sharing the docking activities (especially some of them!). We are trying to work out a communication system to better use the concept. If you have any ideas, please let us know. In the mean time I would suggest that anytime you are interested in signing up for a cruise, when you send a note to Diann or Steve, let them know that you have room on your boat if you would like passengers or ask if anyone is looking for passengers. Many of the marinas that we go to have limited slip availability and pooling sure helps. It also helps the gas tank!
In case you missed the May meeting, we had a terrific presentation by Terry Griffin, Grady owner, Captain, Lawyer and author. Terry spoke to us about the liability issues we face on the water as captains of our vessels. It’s a huge subject and in the few minutes that Terry had, he covered many issues and answered many questions. Terry also talked about his first 2 books and let us know about his new book “Blood Island” that will be released later this year. After the meeting Terry signed books. Terry will be a speaker at our Symposium (Gulf Coast Grady Fest) next March and will be once again signing books.
As we approach “off season” we will continue to hold monthly meetings on the 3rd Wednesdays at Sam Seltzers but most likely we will not have any guest speakers until our October meeting. Best wishes and safe trips to all our “seasonal” members. We look forward to seeing you in the fall and to those of us that know Florida’s best kept secret (how really great it is here in the summer with everyone gone) I hope to see you on all of the cool cruises that we have planned.
One final bit of good news. Be sure to check out our new Club Home page. www.tarponcoastgwbc.com. Dan Eisenberg has recently updated the “sign-on” page and now we have really cool graphics with an “enter here” button that will take you into the web site that you are used to seeing. It really looks great and by the way, that’s Ron and Geri Bembry’s boat Irish Lady with Ron, Geri, Dan and Juli returning from fishing. The picture was taken from atop Ft. Jefferson in The Dry Tortugas. Also, click on the “Links” tab and it will take you to a button called “ship’s Store”. Click on that button and it will give you all the information that you need to order Official Club Merchandise. If you have any questions, please let me know.
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Editor: Fred Buchas |
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“remember that e-mail and our Web-site are our only means of communicating with the membership” |
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Some Tidbits From Your Fleet Captain(s) Steve & Diann Saunders |
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Steve & Diann Saunders FLEET CAPTAINS |
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Hi Everyone:
Well, as you have probably heard by now, our recent trip the first part of May to Holiday Isle in Islamorada was a huge success. Everyone who went has a story to tell if you ask them, but we have all taken the sacred vow that what happens in Islamorada, stays in Islamorada. So…next time, to really know what happens on our Club trips, come see for yourself and join us. It is something not to be missed. Also, check out our Photo Gallery on our Club website for some great photos.
So…the things we can talk about…the weather was beautiful; the seas not so cooperative going down especially Florida Bay, but on the trip home, it was smooth as silk. While we were there, even though the water conditions were not the best, reels were strung, rods were tossed and fish were caught. During our stay there, we ate a lot, dined out at some very nice restaurants, played cards for pennies, shopped, laughed a lot, and enjoyed the sun and beach. It was truly life in paradise!! As you can see, it definitely was another great trip for our Club and making memories.
As for our route and route planning we used MapTech, Chart Navigator Pro software as well as Garmin Mapsource for downloading into our GPS units. When laying out a trip of any distance, where there is no local knowledge to be garnered, careful preparation is necessary. Knowing there are several versions of navigation instruments, GPS especially now, you want to plan the most efficient trip and print a hard copy of the projected waypoints. As electronics can fail, keep this hard copy and some navigation knowledge as a fall back with your charts (you know, those big paper pictures). Also plan an alternate route in case there is some unforeseen change and it can be implemented. With this in mind, we would recommend that every captain and 1st mate take either a USCG or U.S. Power Squadron safe boating course that includes rudimentary navigation, as well as rules of the road and much more.
Well…that is all for right now, but please check the Club’s website calendar for our upcoming trips for the summer months. As there are deadline dates that need to be met, we ask that you respond by those dates so everything can flow smoothly, arrangements can be made and we can all have a GRADY time!!!
Your Fleet Captains, Steve & Diann |
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“check the Club’s website calendar for our upcoming trips for the summer months” |
A Report From Treasurer/Web MasterDan Eisenberg |
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Dan Eisenberg TREASURER/WEB MASTER |
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As of today we have a total of 51 boats in the roster. WEB Site:
Below is a continuation of the WEB site description I started last month….
CALENDAR TAB:
MEMBERS TAB:
Next month I will review some other features of the WEB site. I welcome your comments and/or questions.
Dan |
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“As of today we have a total of 51 boats in the roster.” |
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“Check out the club photo gallery on Flicker”. |
The Safety SceneSafety Officer/Newsletter Editor-Fred Buchas |
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Fred Buchas SAFETY OFFICER |
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“having a good preparedness plan can reduce the stress and possibly save your boat” |
Other Items & Member News |
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A Word From The Commodore-Dan Clark |
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Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendar: June 18, 7:00pm
Monthly Dinner meeting – The May monthly dinner meeting will be held at the Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouse in Port Charlotte. Don’t forget that we will have a 50/50 raffle with half going to the Club and the rest going to the lucky winner.
As a reminder, please remember that e-mail and our Web-site are our only means of communicating with the membership, and it is important to check your e-mail on a regular basis so that you know what is going on with the Club.
Also, our club policy allows our Club members to invite guests to our monthly Club meeting when the speaker’s topic would be of interest to them. Please let me know if you are bringing guests. |
News From The Secretary-John Semple |
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Dan Clark COMMODORE |
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Preparing Your Boat For A Hurricane
Yes hurricane season is upon us again. Worrying about it all season long is counterproductive but having a good preparedness plan can reduce the stress and possibly save your boat.
Most of the following tips on making your boat more able to withstand a storm do not need to be done until there is a good probability that a hurricane is coming. This of course assumes that you live here during the summer or have someone who can implement your plan. If you are a snow bird then some of these precautions should be taken when you close up your boat for the summer.
Boat Preparations: 1) Remove all valuables including electronics if possible. 2) Disconnect power and antenna connections from remaining electronics. 3) Remove all canvas and storm curtains. 4) Duct tape over instrument faces, switches, around hatches and windows and doors. I wouldn’t recommend doing this far in advance because the adhesive residue cleanup will be a problem. 5) Check bilge pump operation and make sure batteries are fully charged. 6) Fuel your generator if applicable and empty holding tank (your boat could end up being your temporary living quarters after a storm). 7) Fill your fresh water tank. 8) Take pictures for insurance to verify that you had your boat secure. Make sure your policy is up to date and verify that you are covered adequately.
These are but a few ideas to begin your own hurricane preparedness plan for your boat.
Everyone’s situation will be different as some people keep their boats in the water, some on lifts, some on trailers, some stored inside etc.
The following link from Boat US is excellent and goes into much more depth than I can provide in this column. Pay particular attention to the links within this page that show how to secure a boat “at a dock”, “on a lift”, “on a trailer” and other critical points that should be checked. http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/hurricane/default.asp
The following link is from the City of Punta Gorda and provides some information concerning cross canal tying in the cities canal systems (see page 2 of this document). http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/userdata/alerts/beprepared.pdf
Hopefully we won’t be threatened enough to warrant implementing these plans this year but with all the other things we have to take care of in advance of a hurricane, just knowing that you have a plan laid out should make life easier.
Stay safe,
Fred
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John Semple SECRETARY |
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Copyright © 2008 Tarpon Coast Grady-White Boat Club All rights reserved |
Our Vice Commodore-Burt Wahlburg |
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After having recently returned from another great club outing to the Keys, I have had time to sit back and reflect on numerous things which I may have done differently, some based on the idea’s and thoughts of other club members. It was only after what seemed to be the 100th trip from the dock to the house that I finally realized that we probably over-packed (Thanks, Eileen). In the weeks that followed we discussed how to possibly minimize and better prepare for these extended voyages. Somehow this has turned into renovating one of our existing closets into a boat closet, complete with a new shelving system and clear storage bins properly labeled for the type of cruises; day, weekend or extended. The other advantage is a possible reduction in excess baggage, more organization, and perhaps a bit of better fuel economy.
With the club continuing to pursue the longer and more interesting cruises, I wonder if any other club members might be interested in taking a Coast Guard or Power Squadron Course to brush up on their piloting skills should our trust-worthy electronics ever fail. I know that it’s been many years since I have actually plotted a course the old fashioned way and followed it. One of the things that Marine Max offers is a Ladies Day on the water whereby they learn the basic operation of the boat including docking, use of the VHF and determining position via a GPS unit. Is this something that maybe we as a Club should look into? I understand that some of the other boat clubs require members to pass the Coast Guard basic course within a year or so of joining. From some of the information Eileen passed on to me from our speaker at the last meeting, we are each responsible for what goes on not only on our own vessels, but the “other guys” out on the water as well.
“IDEAS AND THOUGHTS TO PONDER” |
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Burt Wahlburg VICE COMMODORE |
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I’m still looking for member contributions. It could be almost anything that would be of interest to the membership. It could include your personal fishing or cruising stories or just information about hot fishing spots, dining or cruising destinations etc.
Fred Buchas fbuchas1@comcast.net |
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Website Links: Use Your Browser Back Button To Return Here |
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“how to possibly minimize and better prepare for these extended voyages” |
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“our recent trip the first part of May to Holiday Isle in Islamorada was a huge success” |
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Terry Griffin At Our May Meeting |
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Terry Griffin speaking to a full house crowd at the May meeting. Terry talked about liabilities that we have on the water as captains of our vessels. Terry finished with a Q/A session and then a book signing. Terry will speak at the Grady Fest in March and he will be signing his new book “Blood Island”. |
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Terry will speak at the Grady Fest in March and he will be signing his new book “Blood Island”. |
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“Be sure to check out our new Club Home page.“ |
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“Hopefully we won’t be threatened enough to warrant implementing these plans this year “ |
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Grady Factory Tour set for Wednesday, June 4th |
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We are still planning a Grady tour in Greenville, NC on 6/4. Members Bob Mayes and John and Shiree Wolfinger will be touring the factory. If you are interested and would like more details, please contact Dan Clark (941-347-8086, cheranddan@comcast.net). |
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Grady Factory tour still on for June 4th! |