November 2003 Volume 7, Issue 4

Commodores Column

Thanks to everyone for a great year! Everyone on the Board did a great job, and I really appreciate all their hard work.

No one can realize how much effort goes into making a successful year for Con Trios, unless they have worked in the positions themselves.

As we reach the end of the boating season and look forward to the Holiday Party, reflecting over the past year, we have made new friends and lost some dear ones. Everyone can be thankful for our Con Trios members, they are there giving support, care and friendship when needed.

I hope to see all of you at the Holiday Party. Be Safe…Be gentle to yourself and others.

Jim

Annual Club Dues Information

Soon you will be receiving your forms for your annual dues and any changes you want to make to the roster. Please fill this out completely and accurately. We also will be adding your E-mail addresses. Please reply if you would rather be notified of upcoming events via e-mail or by postage. You could also go to the Con Trios web site and get it from there. The club could save a lot of money on printing and postage if done this way. With todays technology there is no reason not to use it. Again John and I would like to thank all the members for all their support and participation. Hope to see everyone at the Christmas Party, it's going to be a blast.

John & Terrie

CTYC List of Upcoming Events

Dec. 6 Holiday Party - Crown Plaza

Fleet Captain's Notes

I have to ask! How did everyone like our cruise on Oct 11th???????? And did everyone have so much fun that you didn't notice we weren't on a boat?

Although Terrie and I had absolutely no control over what happened, we are very sorry and did try to salvage the day for our members. We tried several other options at the last minute and were able to pull it together even if we couldn't continue with an actual cruise. There was a problem with a Coast Guard inspection, and the Anastasia was simply out of the picture for our event.

It does prove the point that we always make the best of a bad situation and Contrios parties will always go on thanks to the understanding and support of our members.

Our Christmas Party is the last event for this year.
We will all be utilizing Crown Plaza for the second year in a row on Dec 6th. We, as usual, are planning a few interesting twists, so watch for your flier.

As I understand, this will be the last news letter for the 2003 season. At this time I would like to take the opportunity to express a few personal feelings. I have tried very hard not to abuse the authority given to me and Terrie by our members.

It has been a total honor for us to hold the position of Fleet Captain this year. Making our members, perspectives, and guests smile has been our goal. We have had very successful parties while also making a few mistakes along the way. That is how we all learn. Our members took everything in stride as they always do and had fun no matter what the problems were.

Our club is strong, our board members work very hard to support these events, and our members are receptive and know how to have fun no matter what the circumstances.

It has made Terri and I PROUD to be a part of Contrios Yacht Club! SEE YOU SOON!

Little John and Terrie

Notice to Mariners

Everyone, as the season moves forward and the river drops to a lower stage, please take the time to read the waters and watch out for those dikes. We want to see you winterize your boat in ship shape so you're ready to start cruising again after winter lay up.

With Deep Sadness

As most of you are aware, Jackie Robbins passed away after a long battle with cancer. CTYC wishes to extend deep and very heartfelt sympathies to Sonny Robbins and family. Jackie will always be remembered and very deeply missed.

New Boating Law
By Corporal Mike Porter, Missouri State Water Patrol

Beginning January 1, 2005, all persons born after January 1 1984, who operate any vessel on the lakes of the state of Missouri, must take a boating safety course that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. After successful completion of the safety course a boating safety card will be issued and must be carried on board. In addition, the new law requires boaters of any age convicted of certain offenses such as Boating While Intoxicated and Reckless and Negligent operation to take a course and not operate a vessel until the course is passed and recorded with the Water Patrol.

This new law applies only to the lakes of the state of Missouri and not to the Mississippi River. However State Water Patrol recommends all boaters take a boating safety course. By becoming certified you will have a safer, more enjoyable experience on the water and save money on boat insurance.

There are several methods in which an operator can take the approved courses. The following is a list of those methods.

1. Order an online course at www.mswp.state.mo.us
2. For a video course call 1-800-830-2268 or visit www.boat-ed.com/mo/mo video.htm.
3. Take an approved course from another state.
4. Take a NASBLA approved U.S. Coat Guard or U.S. Power Squadron course.
5. Take an in-class course taught by the Water Patrol Officers given in the fall, winter or spring.

BOAT US

Join or renew BoatUS and get better rates. CTYC is a cooperating Group Member of BoatUS. By Identifying yourself as a CTYC member (group # GA80177Y) your dues are $9.50 versus $19. Please take advantage of this opportunity. Applications are available from Bob Vogel, Secretary, or BoatUS, 880 South Puckett St., Alexandria, VA 22304.

YACHT CLUB OF AMERICA

CTYC is a reciprocal member of the Yacht Club of America. You may access their website, http://ycaol.com, and take advantage of the "members
Only" section by entering:
User ID: club1040
Password: y100446c

Our Adventure Ends

When we left off in the last issue, our "survivors" had made it to Deep Water Marina in Appalachacola. The folks there were really great. Great, but just as mystified as we were about what the problem was. We called Jimmy at Cleveland Marine (as you may remember, that's where we had just come from). Before Bob could even finish stating the problem, Jimmy declared, "It's the fuel pump!"; and explained why he felt sure that was the problem. Dick, the owner of the marina, called the nearest parts place - in Panama City , not exactly next door. They had one fuel pump for our type of engine, and it was for a "right engine". For once luck was on our side, it was THE part we needed. Dick scheduled a guy to start work at 7:00am and jumped in his truck to get to the supply store before they closed. In the meantime, Nancy, Dick's wife, called and made reservations for us at The Owl Café - a restaurant not only within walking distance but with a gourmet menu to boot. (editors note: it was marvelous!)

Saturday morning, June 1 (day 18) Andy, the mechanic, showed up promptly to get started with the installation. It didn't take long , and we all gathered 'round with fingers crossed and breaths held. Bob cranked the engine -- nothing .. nada .. nil. OK -- deep breath -- try again.. Nothing .. nada .. nil. After much conversation, a few off color words, and no results we decided to call Jimmy. Of course it WAS Saturday - one of his few days off - but we had to try. No answer - left a message on the machine. We decided to call one of the guys who had worked on the boat in Duneden. We got the "on-call" guy (eating breakfast at a restaurant). He offered his suggestions, which were pretty much what we had already tried.

So, the decision was made for us, Appalachacola was the end of the trip for us. Dick loaned Bob his truck to get a rental car so we could take the rest of the crew to the airport in Panama City. Lindsay and Pat had to get to St. Louis to get their flight back to Phoenix, and Captain Mike had to get back to Tarpon Springs. We did hear back from Jimmy, who had additional advice. He and Dick would work together to get things fixed.

We had a very quiet Saturday evening watching the sunset as the oyster boats came in. It was lovely, and peaceful. Sunday dawned bright and beautiful. We had the rental car, so we went in search of a beach (all this time in Florida and I finally got to wear a bathing suit on a beach!

Monday, June 3, day 20, last day on board until the boat finds its way to Saint Louis. The morning was spent doing laundry and packing for home. We had arranged for Andy, a Coast Guard licensed captain, to get the boat to Mobile, Alabama. (Andy and his bride of one week had not had a honeymoon, so moving our boat to Mobile would give them that opportunity). We had a final lunch at The Owl Café (still marvelous) and then were off to the small airfield in Appalachacola. We had weighed our options and since Bob's company had a working relationship with an air charter company, we could get a better deal chartering a plane home than we could renting a car one way to the nearest commercial airport and getting two seats with no advance notice.

So, we get to the airport, all our stuff is stowed and we are strapped in. The pilot fired up the starboard engine. The prop reassuringly sprang to life. When the pilot cranked the port engine, it sputtered and coughed to a stop. Not a good sign as far as I was concerned. Bob, who flies these small plans more frequently assured me it was OK. (I was about ready to walk home at this point).

We had an uneventful flight home. (No I didn't kiss then ground). All that was left to do was find someone to get her the rest of the way home. THAT Part of the tale is for Johnny O (John Kichin) to tell, if he so desires.

A Great Cruise Location for Excellent Dining

Two weekends ago, Rich & Kim Shamel (Sin or Swim) , Denny & Pat Galkowski (2 XS), Tim & Lynn Tighe (Patience) along with Jim & I (Simply Marvelous) decided we needed a weekend anchorage out. We ended up at "Cedar Hill", a wonderful little restaurant just below Winfield Dam. We had an excellent dinner and the owners, Dave and Carrie were awesome hosts. If you get an opportunity, even though your boat may be laid up for the winter, take a very scenic drive and visit this wonderful little restaurant. We know you will enjoy it as much as we did.

Ask Tim

If any of you have the opportunity to see Tim Tighe in the immediately future, be sure to ask him how he likes his Tea! I'm sure he will be glad to give you a vivid description!

Contact the Editors

Well folks, this is our last newsletter as your Editors.
We hope that you have enjoyed the articles, information and the plain silliness provided over the last three years. We have had an immense amount of fun coming up with new ideas to keep you entertained, enlightened, and most of all, safe.

We wish to say goodbye and let you know that it has been a joy serving you..

Karen Weidinger has volunteered to take over as Editor in 2004. We look forward to bringing Karen on board and are sure that she will be exceptional. Rae and I expect that you will continue to help Karen out with many great articles in 2004.

Contact us at: (Until January 1)

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