Commodore’s Log
COMMODORE’S CORNER
The autumnal equinox has come & gone as has Hanna. There’s no denying the ever waning amount of daylight. And we’ve at least made it past the peak of hurricane season. (Stay where you are Marco!) Around the docks there are a few items of which we all need to be aware.
First, the gate locks to the East & West piers recently have “gone missing.” GPYC is in the process of procuring replacement locks. Once the replacement locks are in, when accessing the pier, please be sure to lock the lock back onto the chain or chain link to ensure it doesn’t become “lost” while the gate is unlocked. This will be a bit of an inconvenience but help ensure the security of the docks as the nights grow longer.
Several boaters have reported marked galvanic corrosion to props, zincs, outdrives, etc. This may be attributed to a number of factors internal or external to each boat. In at least one instance the quality of the dock’s electrical ground was called into question. Certainly stray electrical currents can wreak havoc. Isolators can be installed on boats to minimize galvanic action. I am no expert on galvanic corrosion. Everyone is encouraged to pay close attention to your zincs and other indications of galvanic action and do some internet surfing on the subject. Here’s one article I’ve found: www.playtime.rlbunn.com/All_Boats/Resources/Lightning_Protection/Marine_Grounding_Systems.pdf
Nigel Calder undoubtedly has some advice on the subject.
I can’t push this quill much longer. Have a great month & be safe on the water (70.4 degrees F at Sewells Point).
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If you have any photos from the last dock party, please forward to Frank Brown who is putting together a slide show for our Nov meeting.
White Shoals racing continues. If you are interested in crewing or even coming out to observe what it is all about, please contact John Wandling at 238-3267.
Event Captains are needed for the following (If interested, please contact me):
-Sail Day Regatta (previously postponed due to extreme heat)
-Grand Illumination
-2009 Land Cruise to Wine Country
-Nomination committee to identify candidates for GPBC
Secretary, Commodore
Safety Course
The first Virginia Boating Safety Class was held on four Thursdays in September. Congratulations to Tom Orlowski, Vicky Petkewicz, Mark D’Etcheverry, Logan and Brant Oberg. They all passed the test with flying colors.
Our second offering of this class is set for Oct 11 and 18 (two 4-hour sessions) at the Yacht Club. For others interested, we will look at trying to offer this class again in the Spring, 2009. All club members received an email with the requirement dates so, if you don’t have the certificate of completion, look now to achieve it rather than waiting till the last minute.
Frank Brown
Cruising Corner
LABOR DAY CRUISE UP THE JAMES
Even though we missed a day of boating due to weather, it was a great weekend! Our first day was spent at the beautiful Two Rivers Marina in Governors Land, Williamsburg, where the Blesses, Mukulas’ and Petkowitz’ strolled past million dollar homes, enjoyed a wonderful buffet dinner at the Club House and drooled over the huge yachts in the marina. The next day the Petkowitz’ stayed at Two Rivers for another night while the others headed for two nights at Rivers Rest Marina on the pristine Chickahominy and to meet up with the Troutmans. That evening the Wyricks and Geists joined us all for dinner at the Blue Heron where we made the appropriate amount of noise! Sunday’s Labor Day celebrations abounded with lots of visiting boaters and a great band. A fun time!
Jim Blesse
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