April 2003 Volume 7, Issue 2
Commodores Column
The Auditing Committee did a great job! Thanks to Tommy Anderson,
Harry Steele, Jim Svoboda and Mike Tremmel for giving up your
Saturday to help take care of the club's business. The audit went
very well, and thanks again!
The Ice Breaker was GREAT. Many thanks to Little John & Terrie for all the hard work and such wonderful new ideas they put into play.
I must also thank Dave Berg, our Fleet Surgeon, for coming to my rescue on Saturday night. I had an asthma attack and had no medication with me. Pammy Melton saved the day by giving me her inhaler. Pammy was visiting Mom Ginny and Dennis aboard Winstar.
I am writing this on April 1st and it is supposed to be 80 degrees today. Thank the Lord! We look forward to the boating season and seeing all of you on the river.
Be Safe!
Jim Missroon
CTYC List of Upcoming Events
May 24 Beach Party and Cookout - Sand Beach
Polestar Marina is rain alternate
June 22 Champagne Brunch - Sharky's Cove
July 12 Full Moon Cruise on Grafton
Ferry - Mo. Ferry Landing
Aug. 29-Sept.1 Labor Day Party -
Alton Pool
Oct. 4 Past Commodores Party -
Duck Club
Nov. 8 Membership Party - TBD
Dec. 6 Holiday Party - Crown Plaza
Fleet Captain's Notes
Terrie and I sincerely thank everyone for the help and support
in pulling off our first party. If the season can go like our
Ice Breaker did……God Help the River!
OUR NEXT EVENT:
· Sat. May 24th (Memorial Day Weekend).
· Music by RAIL on the beach.
· Burgers, Brats, and bring your own cooler.
· Rain or High Water
· Everything goes on under cover at Polestar Marina in
case of rain.
Watch for your flier and tell your friends!
Labor Day Weekend Party
For over 20 years the CTYC Labor Day weekend party has been held
at Two Rivers Marina in Louisiana, Missouri. Two Rivers is owned
by the U.S. Corps of Engineers. CTYC has been informed that the
local officials of the Corp. of Engineers will no longer permit
organized functions at Two Rivers where alcohol is served. While
this decision has not yet been carved in stone, the Board of Directors
has decided to hold our annual Labor Day Party at a new location.
In addition to the uncertainty about Two Rivers, the attendance
at last years function was way off (only about 20% of the membership
went to Two Rivers last year). Contrary to some rumors, CTYC was
not barred from returning to Two Rivers.
At the present time we are working out the final details to hold the Labor Day Party at the Palisades Marina and Yacht Club in Portage des Sioux. For those who haven't been there, Palisades has a Club house, restaurant, lounge and pool. In addition, the marina facilities and restaurant at My River Home Harbor (next to Palisades) will be made available to CTYC members for the weekend.
The Board of Directors believes the time has come to try something new for Labor Day. We hope the CTYC membership will agree and continue to support this great Labor Day tradition. As always the Quinsippi Yacht Club and the Two Rivers Yacht Club will be invited to participate in the weekend activities.
A Very Special Thank You
Sheryl Obst-Glen would like to extend a very heartfelt "Thank
You" to Mike & Linda Ramirez, Bob & Rae Vogel and
Shane Harris for their efforts in coordinating the 2003 CTYC Roster.
It's a hard, tedious job and takes very dedicated people to pull
it together. Great job and couldn't have done it without you!
Gracias!
Music and All That Jazz !
Save The Date! The Blessing of the Fleet, Inc., Officers and Committee
Members invite you to join us on Sunday, July 20, 2003 for the
47th Anniversary of the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats.
This year's Decorating Theme, "Music and All That Jazz",
promises a colorful and festive event. Promptly at 1:30 p.m.,
participating boats from various harbors throughout the area will
gather and line up in front of Yacht Club of St. Louis Harbor
in St. Charles County and commence traveling downstream in "Parade
Formation" to Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine, Portage de Sioux
where the actual blessing takes place commencing at 3:00 p.m.
This colorful spectacle can be viewed anywhere along the banks of the Mississippi River from The Yacht Club of St. Louis Harbor in St. Charles County to the base of Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine and Palisades Yacht Club in Portage de Sioux.
Immediately following the parade of boats, winners in five
various categories are selected and trophies are presented at
Palisades Yacht Club. First Place Trophies are awarded for the
Best Decorated Cruiser, Houseboat, , Runabout, Sailboat and Pontoon.
All Runners-up receive Ribbon Awards. The public is cordially
invited to attend
The awards ceremony, refreshments are available at the Club and
the Celebration Begins!
A Great Way to invoke Memories of a Glorious Day Spent on the
Water!
For additional information, contact Fred Wenzelburger at 314-845-3335 or Tim Tighe at 314-805-2000 or E-mail to bowtie@ezl.com.
CTYC Personalized Mats
CTYC would like to know if there is an interest in customized
doormats for your boat or home. In order to be as cost effective
as possible, orders of approximately 40 mats would need to be
placed. Samples of these mats along with full info and pricing
will be available at the Memorial Day weekend event.
Descrpition: These rugs are Outdoor grade carpeting with rubber
backing and will have the CTYC logo, plus your personalized info
included no extra charge. The Rug sizes available are:
18"x27"
24"x36"
30"Round
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Carl Tiemann
at ctiemann@ix.netcom.com.
We've Signed on for Another Big Year with BoatU.S.!
The BoatU.S. Cooperating Group Program has proven so popular with
members that club officers are renewing our "partnership"
for another year. Because of this special arrangement, you get
50% off when you join the nation's largest Association of recreational
boat owners. You pay one-half of the regular BoatU.S. dues of
$19.00-only $9.50 a year!
If you are already a BoatU.S. Member, you can now renew your Membership at the low $9.50 rate.
BoatU.S. Membership benefits include:
§ An effective lobby that fights unfair taxes, fees and
government regulations that single out boat owners.
§ A 700-page Discount Equipment Catalog, plus special discounts
and Member Rewards with purchases.
§ Discounts on fuel, overnight slips or repairs at more than
600 marinas.
§ Low-cost, high-protective boat insurance, including special
programs for trailer able boats and PWC's.
§ On-the-Water Towing, with your choice of service levels-from
$50 per incident (free with Membership) up to Unlimited Service-provided
by he nation's largest towing network, TowBoatU.S.!
§ BOAT/U.S. Magazine-a full year's subscription is included
with Membership!
Contact Bob Vogel (314-721-1133) for a BoatU.S. Membership application. If you are renewing your BoatU.S. Membership, be sure to mention our Co-op Group# GA80177Y to get the special $9.50 rate.
Personal Watercraft Operations and Requirements - By Corporal
Mike Porter, Missouri State Water Patrol
During the 17 years I have been patrolling the Alton Pool area
of the Mississippi River, I have seen a lot of changes. Boating
has grown more popular, and that popularity has spawned completely
new types of watercraft. The personal watercraft (PWC) has become
a particularly popular recreational vessel on the Alton Pool.
As the popularity of PWCs increased, so have the number of accidents that involve PWCs. In response to that problem, new legislation and focused enforcement by Water Patrol officers resulted in a 22% decrease in the number of accidents involving PWCs during the last three years. Even with this reduction, PWCs are still involved in nearly 40% of the accidents investigated annually in Missouri.
Knowing and following PWC operation requirements can significantly reduce these accidents. With the 2003 boating season just around the corner, the Missouri State Water Patrol would like to take this opportunity to remind all PWC operators about the laws specific to the operation of these vessels in Missouri.
Listed below are the requirements for PWC operation in Missouri:
· Everyone onboard a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast
Guard approved Type I, II, III or V personal
flotation device (PFD) while underway.
· An operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard type
ignition safety switch must attach the lanyard to his
or her person, clothing or PFD.
· You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a
PWC, unless a supervising person at least 16 years
of age is onboard with you.
· It is illegal to operate a PWC while you are under
the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A PWC must be operated in a careful and responsible manner.
Specifically it is illegal for PWC operators to:
· Become airborne while crossing the wake of
another motorboat and with-in 100 feet of that
motorboat.
· Operate at greater than slow - no wake speed
within 50 feet of any other vessel, PWC or person
in the water.
· Operate in a manner that requires swerving at the
last possible moment to avoid collision.
Knowing and obeying these laws should ensure a safe day on
the water. Remember if you plan on boating in another state or
boat in adjoining jurisdictions, such as we have on the mississippi
River, check with each state to ensure that you are following
the regulation of both states.
My fellow officers and I look forward to an enjoyable summer serving
the boaters on the river again this year. Please feel free to
stop and ask questions any time you see us at the marinas or out
on the water. We wish you a safe boating season!
How's Your Hypothermia IQ?
As air temperatures rise it is easy to forget that hypothermia
can still be a very real problem. Water temperatures are still
cold enough to cause this serious, even life-threatening, condition.
Test your knowledge of hypothermia by taking this quiz from the
Zurich Sea Chest newsletter.
1. Cold water can best be defined as water
temperature's around or below:
A) 32° F.
B) 40° F.
C) 50° F.
D) 70° F.
2) When boating on cold water, dressing properly is
important. The best clothing is:
A) A single layer of tight clothing.
B) A single layer of loose bulky clothing.
C) Several layers of light clothing.
D) Anything as long as you're comfortable.
3) You should wear your life jacket while boating on cold
water because:
A) It is extremely difficult to put on a device in cold
water.
B) The life jacket provides extra insulation.
C) It is easier to spot someone wearing a life jacket in
the water.
D) All of the above.
4) The most effective technique to increase survival time
in cold water is:
A) Holding the inner side of the upper arms tight
against the chest, with thighs pressed together and
raised to close off the groin, and with head out of
the water.
B) Continuous movement of arms and legs in various
patterns keeping the head high out of the water.
C) Restful floating with lung full of air, face in the
water periodically lifting head for a breath of air.
D) Swimming in a small circle to keep warm.
5) Treatment for hypothermia depends on the condition
of the victim, but in less severe cases, after you have
gotten the person out of the water, the general rules
are:
A) Protect from further heat loss, offer a
warm drink or soup.
B) Massage the extremities vigorously.
C) Give victim an alcoholic beverage.
D) Force the person to run or exercise.
Answers: 1 - D, 2 - C, 3 - D, 4 - A, 5 - A
Reminder - Fire Extinguisher Check- Out Available
Please contact Call Roger Spain at 636-250-3259 or look for the
red sign up sheets in your local marina or look up any of your
CTYC Board Members for fire systems check out info.
There is a $25 dollar fee per boat charged by the company providing this service. The service includes check out and certification.
If your extinguisher system has not been reviewed within the
last year and needs attention, please contact Roger at the number
above and he will help you coordinate the time and place in order
to get this check completed.
On An Enlightening Note
Submitted by Little John
A friend of mine had a business banquet at a nice hotel. Due to
the large crowd, he had to take a room in the hotel in the adjoining
surrounded by the parking lot one block away. SHOULD BE EASY ENOUGH??????????
After many cocktails it was time to go home…..OK????? Half way to his home that night, he was stopped by the police. FRIGHTENING THOUGHT!!! (For me anyway)
After a few minutes of explaining the situation in the police car and being very humble, the officer still needed to see his license and registration. OK!!!!!!!!
After 5 minutes of looking through the glove box, my friend looked up and said, "I am sorry sir, it just is not here". The officer said "I know! You are looking in MY glove box".
We are going to start a ConTrios guessing pool on this one.
WATCH FOR DETAILS! Little John
Remember When?
Submitted by Roger Spain - CTYC
We are survivors….Consider the changes we have witnessed!
We were born before television, before penicillin, before polio
shots, frozen foods, Xerox, plastic, contact lenses, Frisbees
and the Pill.
We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ball point pens. Before pantyhose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes….and before man walked on the moon.
We got married first and then lived together. How quaint can you be? In our time, closets were for clothes, not for "coming out of." Bunnies were small rabbits, and rabbits were not Volkswagens. Designer Jeans were scheming girls named Jean, and having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with our cousins.
We thought fast food was what you ate during lent, and Outer Space was the back of the Riviera theatre. We were before house husbands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers and computer marriages. We were before day-care centers, group therapy and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio, tape desks, electronic typewriters, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt and guys wearing earrings. For us, time sharing meant togetherness…not computers or condominiums. A chip meant a piece of wood or fried potatoes, hardware meant hardware, and software wasn't even a word.
Back then, "Made in Japan" meant junk and the term "making out" referred to how you did on your exams. Pizzas, McDonalds and instant coffee were unheard of. We hit the scene where there were 5 and 10 cent stores where you bought things for five and ten cents. Sander's or Wilson's sold ice cream cones for a nickel or a dime. For one nickel you could ride a street car, make a phone call, and buy a Pepsi or enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. You could buy a new Chevy coupe for $600…but who could afford one? A pity too, gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In our day, grass was mowed, Code was a cold drink and pot was something you cooked in. Rock music was a Grandma's lullaby and AIDS were helpers in the Principal's office. We were certainly not before the differences between the sexes was discovered, but we were surely before the sex change. We made do with what we had. We were the last generation that was so dumb as to think you needed a husband to have a baby.
No wonder we are so confused and there is such a generation gap today. But……WE SURVIVED!!!! What better reason to celebrate?
Note from the Editors: Roger, speak for your self! I don't know about the rest of our readers, but we editors are only 29 and holding FOREVER, and EVER, and EVER. By the way Rae….I'll swap you my walker for your cane and potty chair! Deal?
Notice to Mariners
This year we seem to be a little more fortunate in that spring
flooding appears to be non existent so far.
Since many of us have not yet ventured out for that first cruise of the year, we just want to remind you shifting sands and new snags occur over the winter months. Take your time, read the waters carefully and have a wonderful and safe cruise.
Informational
I recently read an article from another newsletter which peaked
my interest and concerns. The commentary alluded to concerns that
the Water Patrol did not carry any form of marine communication
and did not answer calls this past year.
So with this in mind, I talked with one of the officers from the Water Patrol and had a very nice and informative conversation. They have the normal police radios, but at the same time, they also carry a hand held radio which does carry a limited number of marine channels.
In our conversation, the officer discussed that channel 16 is monitored, but un-fortunately, hand held radios do not have a long range. They will and do respond if they hear the call. He also advised, in case of an emergency, the best and quickest action you can take is to always contact the Coast Guard via marine radio immediately. The Coast Guard in turn will make contact with the Water Patrol to secure their help if necessary.
You may also contact the Water Patrol by calling their office at 1-573-751-3333 via cell phone or through the marine operator. They will be immediately dispatched to the advised location.
Keep in mind these officers operate under the same guidelines as land based officers. Their primary form of contact and dispatch is through a central number, but they do have limited range marine radio capabilities and will respond as necessary.
The Adventure - Tarpon Springs -- Still
By Bob & Rae Vogel
We ended up having to stay in Tarpon Springs for more than a week.
We had planned on a leisurely trip, but... Oh Well. We could fuss
and fret or we could make do.
We went to Brandon one day to visit Laura. Sure never expected
to see so much of our daughter this trip - a nice added bonus.
We shopped. The folks at the Tarpon Springs West Marine got to
know us by name. Pat had never been to a "Dollar Store"
and was amazed at all the "stuff" you could buy there.
All four of us like to read and we had plenty of time to kick
back with our favorite authors.
Captain Mike had suggested a couple of "chips" for
the chart plotter that would be useful for the crossing. Bob spent
some time "playing" with the new "toys" and
checking the other electronics and discovered the hand-held GPS
unit would no longer acquire satellites. I had bought it for him
(at West Marine) for Christmas, so it was still under warranty.
Needless to say, I don't carry sales slips with me every where
we go, but the Tarpon Springs West Marine was able to verify the
purchase and exchange the broken unit for a good one. Finally
something hadn't broken at sea, miles away from a shop!
Wednesday (a week and a day after arriving at Tarpon Springs)
we returned the car in anticipation of leaving this part of Florida.
When we got back from Enterprise we got the bad news that we wouldn't
be able to leave until at least noon the next day. Oh well.
We got the charts out - again - and reworked THE PLAN - again.
We would cross to Apalachicola overnight, Thursday to Friday.
We estimated it would take from 10 to 12 hours. It had to be a
rough estimate since all of our travel thus far had been in fits
and starts. Even on days when we had no mechanical problems (and
there WERE some) we were in the intercoastal waterway and had
no-wake zones and bridges to deal with. We weren't sure what speed
we could actually travel for a prolonged period of time. In any
event, we would spend the night at Apalachicola to rest up from
our overnight crossing. We would then go to Panama City, where
Lindsay and Pat would rent a car, drive to St. Louis and catch
their flight to Phoenix. From there it would be on to Pensacola
where we would catch up with our daughter, Candie's in-laws (to
show off the new boat). We would end our part of the adventure
in Mobile, Alabama where we had made arrangements to leave the
boat until we could hire a captain to bring her on home.
This is where I'm going to leave you. Kind of like those very old serial movies where the stagecoach is about to go off a cliff and the movie ends. Did we make the crossing? Did the rest of the trip go on as planned? Tune in next time!
Contact the Editors
Well, 2 more newsletters to go before the end of the year. As
a reminder, Rae & I will be saying goodbye as your editors
at the end of this year. With that in mind, we still need VOLUNTEERS
to take the helm of "the Hailer."
If you want to learn a little more about your club, especially the new members out there, please make that phone call to either Rae or me and we'll be more than happy to educate you on what we do and how we get it done. Please volunteer! Contact us at:
Rae Vogel
Nanavx2@yahoo.com
950 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130
314-721-1133.
Debbie Barlow
SimplyMarvelous1@MSN.com
6621 Cortena Drive, Hazelwood, MO 63042
314-895-1569
CTYC
950 Barnard College Lane
St. Louis. MO 63130