Willow Bar in July - Portland Yacht Club

September 2012 

Vol. 62 No. 09 

Willow Bar in July 

Photo by Dale Mack

Commodore’s 

Comments 

A 

s 

I write this 

month’s article 

I am sitting 

onboard Child of the Mist in the West 

Basin Moorage in Astoria on a beautiful 

warm and sunny Sunday morning. 

Some of the PYC cruisers have departed 

while others are staying. I’m 

looking forward to the group dinner 

tonight and the other activities planned 

for the remainder of the week as we 

participate in the PYC Upriver Cruise. 

Last night the group joined members of 

the Astoria Yacht Club for a casual 

gathering before the twilight boat parade. 

AYC members are excited about 

their new clubhouse facility located at 

the marina. The space is currently being 

renovated and they anticipate completion 

by the end of the year. For the 

seventeenth year Bo and Sydney 

Knab’s Luscious flew the stars and 

stripes in the parade and were cheered 

by the large number of spectators lining 

the shore from the marina to the Columbia 

River Maritime Museum. Gil 

and I had the pleasure of being onboard 

Bob and Samantha Dubay’s sailboat 

Spirit and proudly flying the PYC 

burgee. It was a fabulous night and the 

flags were spectacular. 

Bald Eagle Days 

Speaking of parades, the PYC group 

lead by Dave Simonson, brought home 

the Grand Prize trophy from the Cathlamet 

Bald Eagle Days parade in July. 

The club’s impressive entry was accompanied 

by a large group of PYC members 

marching in the parade. Please 

read the article later in this issue. 

Maritime Heritage Festival 

Many of our members attended the 

Maritime Heritage Festival in mid-July 

in St. Helens. The event, with PYC 

member Chris Finks at the helm, featured 

a variety of antique boats, many 

of which are PYC vessels, the 1947 

steam-powered sternwheel tugboat 

Portland and the World War II motor 

torpedo boat PT 658. It was a fun 

weekend that included music, vendors 

and tours. I want to thank the organizers 

for providing free booth space to 

PYC to display our photo exhibit. PYC 

was well represented at the event, both 

on and off the water. 

Kindle Loaner 

Last month’s Portlight featured an article 

regarding the publication of the 

Dirk Winter’s memoir. Kudos to Bill 

Chevalier for his dedication to the project 

and getting it completed and available 

on Kindle. Bill has also donated a 

Kindle to the club and it is available to 

be loaned to any member wishing to 

read the book. Please inquire in the 

club office if you want to check out the 

Kindle. Xavier LeHericy has added the 

charts from the book to the club’s website. 

Fuel Dock 

There have been some challenges with 

the new self-fueling system and pay 

pedestal and these issues have been 

brought to the attention of the club 

manager, moorage chairs and board. 

These issues are being addressed and 

various solutions considered. I encourage 

members to provide input and suggestions 

for improvements for not only 

the gas dock, but for other club facilities 

or processes. The club management 

and board appreciates member 

participation in the discussion and resolution 

of all club matters. 

Nominating Committee 

In accordance of the PYC Bylaws Article 

VII. Nominations, Section 1. Nominating 

Committee, the committee 

member names are to be published in 

the September Portlight. The 2012 

Committee members are Berkeley 

Smith, Bob Sudlow and Rod Wells. 

They will be presenting their recommendations 

for the nominees for the 

2013 Officers and Trustees to the current 

Board of Trustees by October 5 th . 

Members are encouraged to contact 

any of the committee members with 

suggestions for potential candidates. 

PYC Board 

The Board of Trustees is making progress 

with the development of a Moorage 

Agreement and has had several discussions 

regarding a possible membership 

drive and optional membership 

classes. The Board will have a number 

of items to consider during the remaining 

months of the year, plus the approval 

of the open moorage design and 

the budget for 2013. Additional details 

on all of these topics will be provided 

in the next Portlight. 

Upcoming 

Upcoming September events include 

the Rum and Cigar night on the 8 th 

which will feature a tropical inspired 

menu and musical entertainment. The 

following weekend is the PYC Ladies 

Cruise to Willow Bar, the annual Beacon 

Rock cruise the last weekend of the 

month, and of course, the cookout on 

the 14 th . 

Nancy MacGregor 

Commodore 

S/V Child of the Mist 

the PORTLIGHT 

published monthly by the 

P O R T L A N D Y A C H T C L U B 

1241 NE Marine Drive 

Portland, Oregon 97211 

503.285.1922 | 503.283.4960 (fax) 

office@portlandyc.com 

www.portlandyc.com 

EDITOR—Dale Mack 

OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES 

Commodore Nancy MacGregor (sail) 

Vice Commodore Larry Cirotski (power) 

Secretary/Treasurer Chris Dorn (sail) 

Rear Commodore Rod Wells (power) 

Trustee Tom Winslow (power) 

Trustee Michael Hahn (power) 

Trustee Gerry Gregg (power) 

Trustee Frank Bocarde (sail) 

Trustee Brian Hedges (sail) 

2 • September 2012 www.portlandyc.com

WaterCrafters 

2nd and 4th Thursday 

10 am to Noon 

Leader: Mary Ann Nitchie, M/V Gilligan 

If your interested in knitting, crocheting, 

beadwork, quilting, embroidery or other 

handwork, please join us at the club. 

Bring your project, or just come visit and 

have a cup of coffee. No obligations, no 

responsibilities, just fun! 

Quilt by Mary Kaye Brady 

COOKOUT 

September 14 

You provide the meat, PYC provides the Grill, Salad Bar, 

Baked Potato, Garlic Bread, Beans, and Dessert 

$7.50 per person 

Bar Opens at 3:00 • Dinner at 6:30 

Sign up before noon on the Wednesday before the cookout to be 

entered into the “Free Cookout” drawing 

RSVP 503.735.0632 or admin@portlandyc.com 

www.portlandyc.com September 2012 • 3

Cathlamet 

Bald Eagle Days Cruise 

Photos by Brian Lottis 

J 

uly 20-22 — The eagles soared as 

PYC brought home the Grand Prize 

Trophy from the Bald Eagle Parade 

in Cathlamet in July. PYC's parade 

entry included Dave Simonsons' new 

"big rig" truck pulling a 40 foot long 

low-boy trailer upon which he placed a 

fully restored l953 D7 Caterpillar bulldozer 

pulling three sixteen foot long fir 

logs! 

Six PYC members - Donna Simonson, 

Clare Lyon, Cliff Stephens, Becky 

Belangy, Don and Barbara Peterson - 

belted out The Logger song from atop 

the big rig. 

The PYC banner and burgee carried by 

Chris Dorn, Harry Braunstein and Warren 

Knight preceded the PYC float and 

approximately twenty-five PYC members 

carrying American flags and signs 

depicting the parade theme, “Celebrate 

Local Success”, followed the entry. 

More than sixty members on nineteen 

boats and two RVs were in Cathlamet 

for the weekend and several members 

came by car. 

(Continued on page 5) 

4 • September 2012 www.portlandyc.com 

Dave Simonson, Donna Simonson, Don Peterson, Clare Lyon, Becky 

Belangy, and Barbara Peterson

(Continued from page 4) 

Special thanks goes to PYC member 

Dave Simonson of Oregon Tractor for 

providing the equipment and the "big 

idea" for our winning entry. Bob Lyon 

assisted Dave with the hauling and prep 

of the equipment. Thanks also to Chris 

Dorn for being there to represent the 

officers of PYC and to the members 

and their guests for their enthusiastic 

participation. 

Several other PYC members were also 

parade participants. Wahkiakum 

County Sheriff Jon Dearmore, wife 

Laurie and daughter Ashley Silva, the 

valedictorian of the local high school 

rode with Vic and Jody Alfonso in their 

classic Cadillac convertible. Joe and 

Mary Kaye Brady's two darling granddaughters 

rode with their grandpa and 

dad in a restored PYC blue Volkswagen 

dune buggy. 

Saturday evening, Cathlamet Yacht 

Club treated PYC members to teriyaki 

chicken and margaritas at the marina. 

A fireworks show and a superb 

Wooden Boat Show the following day 

rounded out the weekend. 

Becky Belangy 

M/V M.S. Halkirk 

Cliff Stephens 


Labor Day Cruise 

On the Boardwalk 

Aug. 31 — Sept. 3 

Willow Bar 

Adults $24, Children (12 & under) $12 

Register by Friday August 24 for the early-bird price of $20 for Adults 

and $10 for Children! 

Saturday Wear your team colors as we celebrate the start of college football 

with a Pigskin Brunch and a Game Day Potluck Dinner 

Sunday Say goodbye to summer with a Beachcombers' Potluck 

Brunch and the Beach Boardwalk Bash — Carnival Games, Snacks 

and Ice-Cold Lemonade, plus a Beer Exchange, followed by an 

open-air dinner of boardwalk-inspired classics, including New 

England Clam Chowder, Shrimp Rolls and Coney Island Hot Dogs 

Cancellation policy in effect 

Cruise Leaders Dale & Laura Mack 


Photo by Dale Mack

On the Boardwalk 

2012 PYC Labor Day Cruise 

Everyone is encouraged to decorate their boats with flags, banners, windsocks, and 

streamers celebrating the colors of summer. For Saturday, add some team spirit to your 

decorations. 

Friday 5 pm Happy Hour — Bring a drink for yourself and an appetizer to share 

Saturday 9-11 am RiverBuck’s Coffee Bar — Gourmet coffee drinks and mini cinnamon rolls 

10 am Pigskin Brunch — Croissants, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Ham, Fruit, and OJ 

6 pm Game Day Potluck Dinner — Wear your team colors and bring a tailgateinspired 

dish to share at the pavilion 

Sunday 

9-11 am RiverBuck’s Coffee Bar — Gourmet coffee drinks and mini cinnamon rolls 

10 am Beachcombers’ Potluck Brunch — Bring something to share at the pavilion 

4 pm “On the Boardwalk” Bash — Win a chance at raffle prizes with carnivalinspired 

games. Snack on popcorn, peanuts, and taffy. Have an ice cold 

lemonade, or a bottle from the beer exchange (deposit a bottle of your favorite 

brew in the tub of ice for each one you pull ). 

6 pm Dinner — Open-air dining featuring New England Clam Chowder, Coney 

Island Hot Dogs, Shrimp Rolls, Corn on the Cob, Cole Slaw, and Kettle 

Chips 

7 pm Ice Cream — Scoop up some fun with an assortment of candy toppings 

Monday 

8-10 am RiverBuck’s Coffee Bar — Gourmet coffee drinks and mini cinnamon rolls 

10 am All-Hands — Clean-up of the pavilion 

We’re looking for a few extra helping hands in the galley from time to time over the weekend. 

If you’d like to join the crew, just let Dale and Laura know. 

Your Cruise Leaders, 

Dale & Laura Mack 

M/V Celtic Myst, S/V Celtic Wind 


September 14-16 

Willow Bar 

Driving your own boat 

is not a prerequisite 

RSVP 503.735.0632 or 

admin@portlandyc.com 

Cruise Leader Judy Ogden 

Photo by Dale Mack 

Beacon Rock Cruise 

September 28—30 

PYC provides “cook your own” steaks, 

salad, potatoes, and a hot grill 

$16 per person — Cancellation Policy in Effect 




Cruise Leader Bob Martin

Lake Oswego 

Cruise 

July 13-15 

Photos by Sandra Gordon 


Summer Adventures 

Photos by Dale Mack 


Summer Adventures 



Maritime Heritage Festival Cruise 

Photos by Marilyn Erdahl 

July 

13-15 

Sand Is., 

St. Helens 


PYC 

Fall 

Regatta 

September 

15-16 


Signup at: www.sailpdx.org/racing/forms-information/event-notice-board 

Robert A. Smith Regatta 

October 6-7 

Signup at: www.sailpdx.org/racing/forms-information/event-notice-board 



Open Moorage Design 

Update 

A 

s 

some of you may have noticed, 

we now have several new 

survey monuments on our 

property. This is the result of our having 

contracted with W.B. Wells and 

Assoc. to survey our property limits on 

our north and east boundaries, as well 

as the specific locations of the pilings 

on A row and an in water survey under 

the open moorage. These are required 

to ensure that we are not potentially 

placing part of the moorage on someone 

else’s property. The in water survey 

will be used in the permit process 

we are pursuing with the Corps of Engineers 

and NOAA. All of this helps 

us move down the road to presenting 

potential designs to the membership 

this fall. 

Over the next few months we will also 

be working with the Finance Committee, 

Long Range Planning, and the 

Board to determine a specific timeline 

for the completion of both the Open 

and Closed Moorage Upgrades. We 

hope to also have this information 

available this fall. 

As we continue to meet and put together 

specific plans and proposals we 

will keep you informed. If you have 

questions please do not hesitate to ask 

myself or Dick Dyer, Moorage Upgrade 

Chair. 

Frank Bocarde 

S/V Bluefin 


Willow Bar Upgrade 

Photos by Marilyn Erdahl 

Congratulations 

Frank Tillman 

& 

Barbara Kowalski 

M/V The Viking II 

Married August 8, 2012 


Rum & Cigar Tasting 

PYC Patio Party — Sept. 8 — 5 pm 

PYC invites you and your 

guests to an evening of 

Rum, Hors d’ Oeuvres, and 

optional Cigar Tasting 

$20 per person 

A cigar package will 

be available for an 

additional charge 

Event Leaders Mike & Tammy House, M/V Tamaroa 



Cancellation Policy in Effect 

3rd Thursday, 10 am—2:30 pm 

Bring a Lunch 

PYC GOLF 

Is A Year Round Sport 

Contact 

Larry Snyder 

503.737.1509 

PRESENTED BY OREGON WOMEN’S SAILING ASSOCIATION 

SEPTEMBER 23, 2012 • PORTLAND, OREGON 

TO BENEFIT PROVIDENCE CANCER CENTER 

www.setsailforacause.net 

Portlight Deadline 

September 10 

Email articles and photos to: Dale Mack 

celtic-myst@comcast.net 


Portland Yacht Club 

Sailboat Racing 

F 

all 

is almost here, school and football will be starting 

soon, and we’re coming into the home stretch for the 

official Portland area Columbia River racing season. 

Commodore’s Race 

The inaugural race was held on August 4th, which turned out 

to be the hottest day of 2012, with an official temperature at 

the airport of 102 degrees. In deference to the heat, the race 

committee opted to shorten the course for the race boats so 

that their turning mark was the red and green mid-channel 

marker off the downstream end of Sand Island. In a welcome 

twist, there was actually wind for most of the race, allowing 

the fleet to finish by dinner time! The fleet was small, 

with seven boats entered. Charlie Mike, a PYC boat skippered 

by Charles Rice, took line honors, finishing at 16:41:05, 

followed immediately by another PYC boat, Anam Cara, 

skippered by Tom Kelly at 16:41:54. The last boat to complete 

the course finished at 17:34:39. Then there was the 

railroad bridge. You know the one between Kelley Point and 

I-5? Well, it seems that the bridge doesn’t like heat, either. 

When the temperature gets a little above 90 degrees, parts of 

the bridge expand and the bridge can’t be opened. You 


In August, PYC introduced a new race on the Columbia, the 

Commodore’s Race. The course start was located just east of 

Kelley Point, with three courses available for different classes 

of sailboats. The idea of this race is to start at 11 am, sail 

down to St. Helens (Martin Island for the fastest boats) and 

back, with a finish deadline of 8 pm on the same day. 


guessed it, our little fleet of racers were all stuck on the 

wrong side of the railroad bridge, waiting for it to cool off. 

Some boats anchored, some sailors went for a swim, most 

people drank, and everyone sweated and waited. Finally, a 

little after 10 pm the bridge cooled off enough, the bridge 

tender opened the bridge, and the boats returned to their 

respective moorages. The results: 

1st Apple Pi Rock Kent RCYC 

2nd Charlie Mike Charles Rice PYC 

3rd Kermit Mike Stainsby PYC 

4th Skookum Too George Brown PYC 

5th Anam Cara Tom Kelly PYC 

6th Orphen Girl Steven Simpson CYC 

DNF Serenity Now Dan Handel RCYC 

DNC Child of the Mist Gil MacGregor PYC 



as “Sail for the Cure”). Their event this year takes place on 

September 23rd. After twelve years and more than $270,000 

raised, this family sailing event “goes local,” and will benefit 

the Portland-based Providence Cancer Center. 

Mike Stainsby 

Sailing Co-Captain 

S/V Kermit 

Whidbey Island Race Week 


Several club boats also went north in July to once again take 

part in Whidbey Island Race Week. This is a weeklong regatta 

in Oak Harbor, WA, and is often referred to as “Adult 

Summer Camp” by those who have attended. This year’s 

contingent consisted of Charlie Mike, Dragonfly, Skookum 

Too, and Kermit. No surprise, Karen Anderson and her 

crew won their class again, with all 1st place finishes. If they 

had a lifetime achievement medal up there, Karen would receive 

it! 

After a week of parties punctuated by some light air racing, a 

few days off and an occasional rain squall, the results were: 

Class P1 Charlie Mike Charles Rice 2nd place 

(10 boats in class) 

Class P10 Dragonfly Karen Anderson 1st place 

(11 boats in class) 

Skookum Too George Brown 3rd place 

Kermit Mike Stainsby 7th place 

Upcoming Events 

The final two PYC regattas are just around the corner, with 

Fall Regatta on September 15th and 16th, followed by the 

Robert A. Smith Regatta on October 6th and 7th. For the 

Fall Regatta and the Robert A. Smith Regatta, registration is 

being handled online through Regatta Networks. The bar 

will be open after each day of racing (or “no-racing”, if the 

weather doesn’t cooperate!) until 9:30 pm. After the Saturday 

races for each of these regattas, racers and supporters 

will be able to purchase food from the club’s bar menu. After 

the Sunday races, we will be providing a buffet meal for 

$5.00 per person, and we will be announcing winners for the 

regatta at that time. Trophies will be distributed at the 

OCSA party at PYC on Saturday, November 10th. 

Set Sail for a Cause 

I would like to encourage all of you to once again lend your 

support to OSWA’s “Set Sail for a Cause” (formerly known 

Robert A. Smith Regatta 

F 

or 

those of you who aren’t familiar with the Robert A. 

Smith regatta, this was the original name for the regatta 

that has more recently been known as Gran 

Prix, and before that, Winner’s Invitational. This year, we 

have returned to the original name to honor a prominent 

sailor from PYC’s past. Bob was a long-time PYC member, 

and his son is a current member. The trophy for the overall 

winner of this race is displayed in the ballroom, and is a 

model of Bob Smith’s Cascade 29 Mischief. Among Bob’s 

accomplishments: 

1955 Mischief is the first Oregon boat to enter the Swiftsure 

Race (only one race at that time, no Juan de Fuca or 

Neah Bay course). A total of 19 boats entered. 

1956 1st place in Class B, Swiftsure Race aboard Mischief 

A total of 23 boats entered. Of note, this race was 

held in late June as a joint event, combining the PIYA 

and PCYA races. 

1982 1st place overall – as well as 1st in class and in division, 

Swiftsure Race aboard Scamp 

247 boats entered in the Swiftsure Race, with a total of 

424 boats entered in the 2 courses. 


Sailing Co-Captain 

S/V Kermit 





Kermit 

Charles Rice 

CharlieMike 

Tom Kelly 

Anam Cara 

George Brown 

Skookum Too 


Coming 

Attractions 

Kelly Bar Open Every Friday 3-9 pm 

Saturday Lunch Every Saturday 11:30-1:30 

Thursday Lunch Every Thursday (May-September) 11:30-1:30 

Golf 

Every Thursday, year round 

Board Meeting Third Thursday every month 

Bridge Third Thursday every month 10 am 

Portlight Deadline 10th of every month 

September 

1 sa NO LUNCH 

3 mo CLUBHOUSE CLOSED 

8 sa Party on Patio w/Rum & Cigar Night 

14 fr Cookout 

14-16 fr Ladies’ Cruise — Willow Bar 

15-16 sa PYC Fall Regatta 

28-30 fr Beacon Rock Cruise 

October 

5 fr Cookout 

6 sa CRYA Closing Day 

6-7 sa PYC Robert A. Smith Regatta 

19 fr Cookout 

19-21 fr Mini Cruise — Sandy Beach 

27 sa NO LUNCH 

27 sa Halloween Party 

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3445 N.E. Marine Drive Portland, OR 97211 

Phone 503-287-1101 FAX 503-288-3745 sales@rodgersmarine.com 




Portland Yacht Club 

1241 NE Marine Drive 

Portland, OR 97211 

The BOATYARD At 

Rocky Pointe 

503-543-2785 

All Services — Boats 20’ - 60’ 

Masquerade at Willow Bar

Willow Bar in July - Portland Yacht Club

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