The Mainsheet - July

COMMODORE’S COMMENTS
Fellow Members, summer is upon us and racing season is in full swing. Thank you to Dave & Elyse Gorney, Russel & Anna Bigler, Dominic & Joleen for hosting dinners last month. We have lots to look forward to in July with regattas and dinners.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of our beloved Vice Commodore Renee Anderson. Renee was very passionate about the club and excited for her new position on the Bridge. She will be missed dearly. Our deepest condolences go out to her family.

The best thing we can do now as a club in honor of Renee is to support one another. One way to do this is to attend our club dinners with our fellow AYC members, friends & family. Our first dinner of July was delicious and a lot of fun, thanks to OD hosts Jeff and Cathy Birdt and Gavin & Joleen behind the bar.

Eric Swartz, Commodore, AYC

CLUB DINNERS AND SOCIAL EVENTS:

 Here's what's happening at our clubhouse in July: 

JULY 10 SATURDAY - Bunco Game NIght  & Dinner: Dominic Cortese  

JULY 17 SATURDAY - Dinner: Jolene Darland

JULY 23 FRIDAY - Dinner: Larry & Lamyai Listing

JULY 30 FRIDAY - Yacht Rock Party. Costumes & Karaoke: Eric Swartz  

JULY 31 SATURDAY - Dinner: John & Susan Koesterer

Volunteers are really needed to help with some of our upcoming events!

Wet Wednesday

RACE COMMITTEE REPORT

The month of June had its ups and downs, we had our best W.W. turnout this year. We also had another gale day keeping us from racing. After the gale conditions calmed down I received a phone call from the ASBCYC in regards to the Wes mark. The Wes mark broke off from the station and made its way back to the north entrance of the harbor. I drove down to the Rudder room, walked out to the water's edge and there it was waiting to be picked up. I took it home and was able to repair the ballast weight. It was all hands on deck situation, Big thanks to Ben Golemon, Bill Brayton and one of Ben's friends for taking the mark back to its location, they were able to dive down, find the ground tackle and hook it all back up within a week. The week it was in rehab the wind gods gave us a break and provided us with a light southerly breeze and we were able to go around the Hueneme buoy for W.W. The next weekend race on our horizon is the Wes Golemon Memorial Island race on 8/28/2021. Please see Events on website for more on area races.

Looking forward to seeing you on the water,

Todd Turner, Jr Staff Commodore, Racing Chair, AYC

CRUISING COMMENTS

Kathy and I went to Frys Harbor for the June club cruise. We left on Wednesday before Memorial Day. Due to the lack of wind we had to motor all the way on a glassy ocean. We were surprised to find an empty anchorage, and perfect conditions. We spent the next few days kayaking, hiking and relaxing aboard Abide. One night we had a fishing boat come for a visit, that was the only other boat we saw.  We again had to motor home, after one of the best cruises we had ever done.  Both Pelican and Prisoners were completely full that weekend making us even more grateful to have Frys all to ourselves. Hope to see you on the next one.

Jeff Birdt, Director, AYC

JULY DAY CRUISE TO FRENCHIE’S

Thanks to the suggestions of our members we are planning a day trip to Anacapa to do some group kicking and exploring.

We on SV Compas Rose will be leaving CIH at approximately 0900 on Saturday, July 17 (or whenever we finish our coffee) and head out monitoring VHF channel 68, we have red sails so you can’t miss us. This will be a great photo opportunity to take pictures of each other’s boats under sail. 

Bring your kayaks and fly your AYC burgee. I will post a final (go) several days before dependent on weather window. If you know of a guest boat that would like to join in, please invite them. Hope to see you out there.

DID YOU KNOW YOUR BACKSIDE?

The backside of Santa Cruz Island offers some of the most picturesque anchorages on the island. Here is some information that might prove useful if you haven’t explored this area. Sailing from CIH or Ventura through the slot between Santa Cruz and Anacapa Island on a single tack is usually impossible as it is directly into the prevailing wind. A more enjoyable route is to sail to Arch Rock, Anacapa’s east end and power the rest of the way in the usually calm lee of the island. Going behind Anacapa enables you to sail about half of the way to Coches Prietos Anchorage and only adds about three nautical miles compared to the direct route with wind and seas in your face. The main anchorages on the backside of the island are Alberts, a small lovely cove just east of Coches that can hold approximately four to five boats. Coches with its long crescent shaped white sand beach with lots of room and good sand bottom, in my opinion is the prettiest spot on the island. Willows, farther west from Coches, also a pretty spot but sometimes has a strong cross current contrary to the wind and swells that can make for a rocky night. For the adventurous there is Forney’s Anchorage at the extreme end of the island. The cove is well protected from the swell but it can be VERY windy. The bottom is a combination of rocks and sand strewn with patches of kelp, making for excellent diving but you will need to keep the kelp out of your prop on the way in and out. A real plus is a quick hop around the west end and it’s a reach all the way home. Weather considerations for the back side ( especially Coches ). If there is an active hurricane off the Baja peninsula, even though it is a thousand miles away, a nasty swell can make for an uncomfortable visit. Just in case you want to know, Coches Prietos means (black pig) you do see them on the beach from time to time. Maybe I’ve just been lucky but I have seen the elusive Santa Cruz Island miniature fox there many times. It is a subspecies of fox found native only to the island. Happy cruising !

Michael Gram, AYC Cruising Chair

We at the Main Sheet would welcome any “Did You Know?” articles you would like to share.

COCHES PRIETOS

PIPER UPDATE

Piper was used as the committee boat to start Wet Wednesday races in June with success. Upkeep on Piper is continuous as its use is ongoing. All AYC boaters can understand the importance of keeping her seaworthy.

Thanks to all,
Angie Frausto Gram, Rear Commodore, AYC