Docks Committee

Please check your mooring fenders and lines. Lake level is on the rise and several boats have been found singing on their piano wires. That doesn’t sound too nautical does it? While we normally do experience calm waters here on Portage Bay, remember that police and fire boats can send some very powerful waves this way. There are even a few non-member boaters that are able and willing. If your lines are already tight, damage of some sort is sure to follow.

The March work party on the 12th was a real success. I can’t list the participants individually as the sign-in sheet is currently in other hands, being converted into a record of committee members and participants. It was gratifying to see 20 persons giving to their club and to see several people stepping up to lead some important tasks. Even more rewarding for me was to meet several new members and one spouse, eager to make their new club even better. Queen City Yacht Club, as friends and volunteers, always has worked to build its future in this way. Many have tried, but no one can say that volunteerism is dead here.

During lunch, in the wake of that success, it was agreed that we would convene an extra work party on Saturday, March 26. It’s amazing how fast we go from the Christmas holidays when we can’t get work done, to Opening Day, when we can’t get work done. In that stretch of time there is so much that really has to be done here on the docks. Now, we’ll have two sessions of work prior to Opening Day and to do some preparation for the Pride of Queen City. Saturday work parties begin at 8:30 AM with time for a breakfast and discussion of tasks for the day. We try to start work by about 9:15. There’s a break for lunch provided by the club between 1:00 and 2:00 PM and we try to be done by 3:30 or so. Those work sessions are scheduled for April 9, May 14, and June 11. There are Docks Committee meetings scheduled for April 26 and May 24: the 4th Tuesday of each month. Meetings start at 6:00 PM.

Here is a note about your lovable shore-power cord. They need your respect, if not your love. Electrical cords must not be hung from or otherwise in contact with metal objects. Most especially, wires of any sort must not come in contact with pipes. If your cord needs to be fastened in place, there are yellow clips made for the task, or nylon 1-screw clamps can do the deed. Nails and screws and conduit clamps are not acceptable and fire prevention authorities say so. They also have some very specific and demanding things to say about the condition of those cords. There shall be no splices or insulation failures. The plugs must connect firmly in the receptacles with the twist lock firmly engaged. Only fully rated connectors are acceptable at both ends. Cord twists can’t be allowed to undo the twist lock and lock rings must be employed to seal and firm up all connections where receptacles have covers with lock ring threaded or bayonet mounts. The weight of the cord shall not hang on the connectors. Check your connectors for warmth at regular intervals. A slight increase in temperature at high loads is normal. Hot connectors are hazardous. Marine connectors are intermittent-duty rated and are substantially de-rated for continuous loads. Some of you may notice frequent failures. Extended operation over the continuous rating is a likely cause. Remember also that circuit breakers do not trip at the rated amperage value, but at a higher amount. You can shove more than 30 amps through this equipment and, on a temporary basis, that presents little trouble; but for long term, there are real troubles to be had. Circuit breakers are not load limiting devices. You are. Circuit breakers are only short circuit protectors.

Arthur Mauldin
Docks Chairman
Now available for no extra charge at: docks@queencity.org