As I write this it’s 23º F and I’m heading out to ski shortly. I’m in the Methow Valley enjoying a week or so of skiing on the 120 plus miles of groomed nordic skiing trails. My annual trip here usually conflicts with the club’s Winter “Cruise” to Wenatchee. However,  this year the timing worked out to allow my wife and me to do both. We quite enjoyed the sights and food of Wenatchee under the guidance of two excellent tour guides, Mike and Bonnie. They showed us the highlights and the best places to eat. We had a fine time. Unfortunately the winery, Martian Scott,  was closed, so we will have to try again next year. Hope more of you can join us then too. Thanks again to Mike and Bonnie for being such excellent tour guides.

Don’t know if anyone noticed but the “sailing” magazine 48º North has expanded their mission and is now including coverage of powerboats too. I initially was a little bummed to read about this change but after some reflection and a conversation with the editor, Joe Cline, I’ve come around. It’s a quality magazine and this change will give them a broader appeal and allow them to include some articles from more authors. One of them is Steve Mitchell from Sea Bits (used to be Sail Bits). You may recognize the name as he was our speaker last February. If you haven’t picked up a copy recently it might be a good time to have a look. You can find them on the web at https://48north.com/, in the lobby in front of the Shilshole office, at Fisheries, and many other places around town.

I’m looking forward to our second cruise of the year to Bell Harbor. This was the first cruise that my wife and I took our new and first sailboat, so it holds special meaning for us. It’s really cool to tie up downtown with a bunch of friends and spend a night or two with easy access to Pike Place Market and the rest of the amazing amenities just a few steps from your boat. We’ve enjoyed a long walk along the waterfront as well as trips to some of the nearby breweries. This is also an excellent cruise to join by land too. It’s so simple to hop the bus or drive down and join the boat in folks for a happy hour and a fun dinner at Anthony’s. While our situation this year prevents us from boating in, we will be there and I hope to see you there too!

Well, the sun is out and the snow is calling so I’m going to stop here and go enjoy some skiing.

Cheers!

AJ Mallory, Commodore

Next Dinner Meeting: Tuesday, February 18, 2020

IVAR’S Salmon House, 401 NE Northlake Way, Seattle
5:30pm – Meet and Greet
6:45pm – Dinner in the Banquet Room

Topic: “Cruising the Cyclades Islands of Greece”

Speakers: Brad & Deborah Music

Brad and Deb recently completed a 2-week cruise in the Cyclades islands of Greece, on chartered a 43-foot Bavaria. Come join them as they share their adventure of five islands.

~Tonight’s Featured Menu~
~Starter~

Mixed Greens Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

~Entrée~

Alder Grilled Coho Salmon

Or
Blackened Salmon Caesar Salad

Or
Chicken Marsala

Or
Ivar’s World Famous Fish ‘n Chips

Or
Potato Gnocchi

Includes: Seasonal Vegetables with the Protein Entrees

Coffee, Decaf, Hot Tea

Special dietary needs can be accommodated; please let me know on your Evite RSVP.

Main course selections are due by 9:00 pm on Friday, February 14. Look for your Evite invitation in your email, then hit reply and use the comments field to tell me how many in your party and their dinner selections. Cancellations must be made by 9:00 pm Friday February 14.

Note that the deadline for reservations is also the deadline for cancelling a previous reservation; otherwise you will be charged for the meal.

Dinner is $35 per person. If you charge your meal (credit card), we will add $1 per meal. Please purchase your drinks from the staff in the banquet room. The receipts count towards our room rental minimums.

WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE EVITE INVITATION TO THE DINNER, PLEASE REPLY AND USE THE “COMMENTS” FIELD TO TELL US HOW MANY IN YOUR PARTY AND WHAT MEALS EACH OF YOU WOULD LIKE!

Snowbird Series.

The 2019 – 2020 Snowbird Series keeps growing! For the first time in our history (of Tom Madden and Ben Lobaugh) we had six start classes. Well guess what? In February there were seven! And that seventh class grew to nearly need an eighth!

The February race was an interesting one. It started with a strong south wind, which became a westerly. The modern racers with asymmetrical spinnakers loved the West Point to Spring Beach broad reach! For a while… halfway through the leg, spinnakers hung slack across the fleet. The wind died out for a good while, then filled in from the north and the boats shoved off toward Spring beach again. On the way back, for a downwind finish, the wind was looking good, and then it died out. Meanwhile, members of the committee boat fell asleep while awaiting the racers’ return. Then, to add more interest to an already squirrelly bit of wind, it kicked back up and frothed the water into white caps! The boats finished strong.

Shortly into the race, a distressed fishing vessel drifted near the committee boat. Their engines were not starting and they were drifting towards the rocks of the marina breakwater. Lucky for them our ever-to-lend-a-hand duo, Harold and Larry, were on board. Olele’s dinghy was inflated and prepped and they went off to rescue the vessel.

Next month’s race is on March 14. That is the final race of the series.

NOTE: THE MARCH RACE WAS MOVED TO THE 14th.

SHILSHOLE BAY YACHT CLUB – 2020 CRUISING ACTIVITIES

Bell Harbor Cruise.  Pier 66, 2203 Alaskan Way, Seattle Waterfront 

Our first cruise of the season.  This Cruise is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the culture and shopping of downtown Seattle, all within easy walking distance of the marina.  Time to take the canvas off the boat, turn on the engine to make sure it runs, and motor or sail across the bay to Pier 62. Slips have been reserved, but reservations MUST BE MADE two weeks prior to the event, no later than February 24.  The SBYC $5 per boat will also be requested.  

Weather permitting, cruisers have been known to arrive Friday and enjoy an impromptu Cocktail Hour on the dock in the afternoon.  This allows time for a Saturday walk through Waterfront Park, or exploring Pike Place Market before the Saturday evening dinner to be held at Anthony’s again this year. 

This event is accessible by land or by water. The EVITE for this event has been emailed, and an RSVP is requested for dinner reservations. At this time, I only have 3 maybes, and 1  yes. If you have not received your Evite, please contact me, CruiseChair@Shilsholebayyachtclub.org.

Cruise Calendar for 2020

Yellow Fest. Blake Island Marina, Blake Harbor.  This location gives cruisers a chance to enjoy the Pacific NW outdoors away from the city, no cars, sirens, or crowds, all within 90 minutes by boat.   The Pavilion has been reserved. Jessie Lundin will be hostess this year for the ‘Easter Egg’ hunt. No slip reservations available, first come, first served.  The SBYC $5 will also be requested. COME EARLY.

Burger Burn. Blake Island Marina, Blake Harbor.  The hiking trails will have dried from the rains and hiking will be a pleasure.  The Pavilion has been reserved for our barbecue. A chili contest will take place, and games of horseshoes, and croquet.  Larry and Sharon Clark will host this event. No slip reservations available, first come, first served. The SBYC $5 will also be requested.   COME EARLY. More information next month.

June Dinner/Dance Kingston Yacht Club, Kingston Marina.  The dance this year will be catered by Neo Café, their specialty is Greek Food.  The band will be Malo Castro and his players, terrific musicians who perform upbeat and dance-able music. Dinner, wine, and dancing, all included in one place, the best deal in the city.  This event is also accessible by land as well as by water. Kingston Marina slip reservations have been made.  The SBYC $5 will also be requested. 

July Fireworks. Poulsbo, annual raft-up, boat watching, fireworks display.

Summer Rendezvous.  Stuart Island, jumping off place for cruising in the islands.

Purple Passion. Port Orchard Marina, Labor Day weekend.

Salmon Bake. Pouslbo Marina, grillled salmon, with potluck.  The end of the season cruise..