sbmesafirstmate, Author at Santa Barbara Sail & Power Squadron

October 2018 Passage Planning with Savvy-Navvy by Dick McClary

sbmesafirstmate on October 2, 2018 Member News and Articles

There are loads of useful apps for nautical applications available these days. For example, you can find them for:

electronic charts;
wind forecasting;
departure planning;
tidal calculations.

But I’ve recently found one that combines all of these functions into one extremely useful fully-integrated passage planning programme. It’s called Savvy-Navvy and I would urge you to take a look at it.

Created by round-the-world sailor and ex-Google employee Jelte Liebrand, I found it absolutely intriguing.

I’ll certainly be using it next season.

(note: Squadron members Dennis and Virginia Johns met Dick McClary and his wife Mary in Prickly Bay, southern Grenada. Mary has authored the e-book First Time Atlantic Crossing. Dick writes a monthly e-newsletter, The Sailboat Cruiser, and has given us his permission to include any of his articles of interest to our group in the Signal Hoist. If you want to subscribe to his e-newsletter you can do so on their website www.sailboatcruising.com)

October 2018 It’s a Small, Small World by Dennis Johns, AP

sbmesafirstmate on October 2, 2018 Member News and Articles

If you’ve attended one of our presentations, you’ve probably heard this story but it’s worth repeating for those who have not.

Virginia retired from UCSB in June 2010 as Registrar. The Registrar’s Office is responsible for all the student documentation including graduation credits and transcripts. This prefacing information is essential to the substance of this story.

We departed for faraway lands in January 2011. Our route took us due south along the west coast of Mexico and Central America. We met several other fellow cruisers along this route but were concerned to find nearly everyone we met was going north to put their boat up for the coming summer months of the hurricane season. Were we making a grave mistake our first year out? Fortunately, when we arrived at an estuary named Bahia del Sol in El Salvador we discovered the group of cruisers that were headed in our direction. We learned that Bahia del Sol was a popular place to hang for a while in preparation for further travels south or across the Pacific. We decided to stay a while as well and rent a car for a quick El Salvador excursion (it was easy to make it quick as El Salvador is about the size of Massachusetts). Our route was marked by stops at several waterfalls in the El Salvadoran jungles (I like waterfalls).

We parked in the small, empty parking lot for visitors to the waterfall and were soon met by two El Salvadoran soldiers fully decked out with flak vests and automatic weapons. They inquired what we planned to do by stopping there which seemed a bit intimidating since we just wanted to see the waterfall. Once we advised them of our plans they proceeded to try to talk us out of it by indicating that there was very little water and it would not be worth it. We said we’d been driving for a while and we’d just like the walk anyway and started down the path. To our surprise and concern the soldiers followed in behind us and accompanied us all the way to the waterfall and on our return to the parking lot. We later learned that earlier that year a female tourist had been accosted on the waterfall trail by some banditos and these soldiers were assigned to protect any tourists who decided to visit the waterfall. It was a hot day and we then understood why they had tried to talk us out of the trip.

Upon arrival at the waterfall we discovered that there was indeed plenty of water flowing. There were several locals there enjoying the cool pool at the base of the falls but there were also four twenty-something gringos enjoying a dip. Curious as to how these four came to be here with us at the same time, Dennis approached them and asked them what was their story. They explained that they had just graduated from UCSB and were on a vacation touring the El Salvadoran jungles. Needless to say we were shocked to have come upon former UCSB students in the middle of a jungle and to top it off to have them meet the person (Virginia) who must have recently approved their application for graduation.

This is only one of many small world encounters we had the pleasure to experience which we soon learned was a common occurrence among cruising sailors.

As we left El Salvador, we were required to use a pilot to guide us over the sandbar at the harbor entrance – quite exciting!

October 2018 COMMANDER’S MESSAGE by Cdr. Dennis Johns, AP

sbmesafirstmate on October 2, 2018 Monthly Reports

September weather was sort of hit or miss so it was an opportunity catch your breath and get ready for a rip-roaring October. Those who attended the annual meeting and BBQ at the Swallings’ foothill home were treated to a fun and relaxing afternoon. We made over $200 for the squadron’s kitty thanks to Neil’s masterful auctioneering.

You then had a several week gap to fit in your summer vacations. Hope you logged some nice trips either on the water or terra firma.

The weather gods finally smiled on our Thursday Evening Rally, September 27 delivering a mild 10-12 knot breeze and a gentle swell for our run for the oil platforms. We were beginning to wonder if this idea was going to float (pun intended) but after the last scheduled one of the season, I know it’s worth repeating next year. It’s a very nice way to get folks who don’t currently have a boat comfortable with the idea of obtaining one. I’ve observed that the conversations during the event are often questions and answer sessions between our seasoned mariners and the novice guests. Invariably the discussion involves our many boating courses and the interest shown by the novices is encouraging.

The current boating course, Engine Maintenance, being taught by Pete Seagoe (owner of M/V Seagoer) will have its fourth session on Tue Oct 2. With a classroom nearly filled to capacity with students, it runs for 10 sessions into November, so you can imagine it is a comprehensive course.

October starts off with an Anchoring Seminar by Mike Pyzel. His style of mixing instruction with amusing stories is a perfect blend which complements the culture of our squadron. Don’t miss it Thursday, October 4 at 7:30pm in the Waterfront Classroom.

Patrick and Alyssa have been preparing S/V Althea for months and are ready to head out soon. Please join them for a Ledbetter Beach BBQ Bon Voyage Party. See flyer in this issue for details. Their event happens 3pm to sunset, just prior to our Anchoring Seminar that evening, so come to their event then pop over to the seminar.

That Thursday evening seminar is quickly followed that Saturday, October 6 with a return of the tradition of a Saturday dockside brunch at slip Q4. The location, while it’s a good stretch of the legs to get there, is perfect for a dockside party as the restroom is right at hand and the dock has considerable space for a crowd with very little pedestrian traffic to worry about. Of course it’s another opportunity to tour the vessel that circled the globe from 2011 – 2017 if you haven’t had the chance. Please RSVP to Virginia by Thursday, Oct 4.

Next is the Harbor & Seafood Festival on Saturday, October 13. I still need some help to man the booth from 11am to 1pm. That’s a perfect time to do the most people-watching and to sample the fresh seafood dishes that are being offered. Avoid the parking problem by parking at the SBCC parking lot which will be open for the Wags & Whiskers Festival that is happening on the SBCC West Campus. Put in a few hours at the harbor and then walk up to the West Campus lawn to enjoy the dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, and reptiles being showcased. Please let me know soon if you can fill this shift.

Not currently on the calendar but certainly an option if weather permitted would be another Evening Rally at the end of October. Perhaps we could hold it on the weekend for those who had conflicts during the week. I will send out a notice later in the month to test if there is any interest.

As always, if anyone is headed to the islands and wants some company, let us know and we’ll put out the word for you.

October 2018 ADMIN OFFICER’S MESSAGE by Lt/C Peggy Ciolino, S

sbmesafirstmate on October 2, 2018 Monthly Reports

I am not a person who loves meetings, but the Annual Meeting is an exception. It was held Saturday, September 9, on the Swallings’ spacious and comfortable patio high above Santa Barbara. Before the actual meeting, we had mimosas, Neil and Sue Ablitt’s special homemade beans and garlic bread, BBQ chicken and tri-tip, a variety of salads, dessert and coffee. Thank-you to everyone for bringing something to share, with special thanks to the Swallings for opening their home to us. Special thanks also to Ron and Vicki Slocum for the mimosas, Neil and Sue Ablitt for beans and bread, and Rich Ciolino for doing the BBQing — and who must have felt cooked himself after two hours before the flames in the warm, if not hot, sunshine. Our Commander, Dennis Johns, led the brief meeting, at which time Doris and Will Swalling were presented with the District 13 Duncan Gleason Award for their outstanding work on the Signal Hoist. The meeting was followed by the often suspenseful, but not-to-be-taken-seriously-at-all white elephant auction! Thank you Neil for being our very entertaining auctioneer. We had lots of laughs and fun that raised over $200 to assist in funding our yearly activities.

Our next get-together will be the Dockside Brunch. It will be Saturday, October 6, at 10:00AM, on the dock by the John’s boat, S/V Libertad, in Marina 1, Q4. I know that Virginia Johns, point person for this event, has emailed a flyer giving all the details. Hope to see you there!

October 2018 SEO’s Message by Lt/C Rich Ciolino, JN

sbmesafirstmate on October 2, 2018 Monthly Reports

Seven students took the take-home exam for the Piloting class and turned them in on the 21^st for grading by National. They were graded with all students getting passing grades – congratulations to all.

The Engine Maintenance class is underway and we have 25 students enrolled including 12 new members. Pete Seagoe is conducting the class.

The next ABC class is scheduled in the Marine Center Classroom on Wednesday nights beginning October 24. Due to other scheduling conflicts and the Thanksgiving holiday we couldn’t get five consecutive nights so there will likely be a gap of three weeks from November 7 through 21. That could change depending on the size of the class and the availability of the smaller classroom.

All in all our education staff is keeping pretty busy – If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to contact me at rdciolino@cox.net or 805-682-4543. Sail safely!