Docks Committee

The under docks inspection is proving its worth as a planning and budgeting tool, and in providing the facts upon which to base the work schedule for this year’s maintenance and repair of our docks. Working proactively with these wooden structures is the only way to preserve them for the future and to make belonging here a reasonable financial decision. These docks have many years’ more life in them, if they are adequately maintained. You should be proud of your club for making that commitment on your behalf. At the midpoint of the inspection, we’ve found some significant problems, but nothing far outside of expectations. A preliminary look at the findings indicates that we’ve made good progress in getting ahead of the deterioration that is a feature of these docks.  A very large, QCYC style, thanks goes to: Rick Sweezy, Pete Clarke, P/C Carl Weiss, Richard Thymian, Marv Elbon, Mitch Garton, Ron Stevenson, Dustin Bago, Dick Dow, Tim Dies, Dave Tregoning, Richard Larsen, Chuck Gould, Rick Ashleman, Pete Collins, Dave Armstrong, Mark Nance, Kent Soffel, Dave Svendsen, Larry Keeler, Art Mauldin, Dick McGrew, Bob Myers, and your flag officers, George Austin, Don Wilson, and Bob Stettner. That’s 26 of your fellow members, so far.

 

It’s coming on “the gray season” in Seattle and that means it’s time for cold weather preparations. Please remember that we need to protect our water pipes from freezing and all hoses must be left de-coupled from the water taps. We’re all aware of our limited power situation that makes it imperative that we all limit our electrical usage at the time of the year when nature asks us to use more power. Please save a watt for the rest of us. The watt you save might be the one that keeps the lights on. The docks need to have the planking nails hammered down in advance of snowfall. Grab a hammer and beat on the docks if you will. We have a drop-bar that does make the effort easier on the back (worse on the toes for some).J That effort will save a terrible amount of bad language when it comes time to shovel the docks. We will try to provide de-icer at two locations on each pier. Feel free to sprinkle a little around when needed and be very cautious on icy docks. The electrical connections and temperatures inspection will happen soon.

 

I’m mindful of the bow pulpits that are protruding over the main docks. Some present a real safety concern and you are asked to properly spring your boats back in your slips before someone is hurt. During our inspection, we have been renewing our efforts to remove carpet and canvas hose from our docks. This time we uncovered some serious rot in our structures hastened by the water trapped under some fire hose. Fendering can be done with thermoplastic bumpers and trim, as well as dock wheels. Whatever is installed needs to be such that the wood can ventilate and dry. Door mats are acceptable if they are of the open rubber type, but cannot be carpet, or closed sheets of rubber or plastic. Even unattached mats can’t be left on the dock if they block air flow. Interior columns that are protected by carpeting are marginally acceptable, if the carpet is kept 1-1/2” from the pier surfaces themselves, but can’t be left in place at firebreaks or exposed locations at all.

 

Dock work parties will again be happening on the second Saturday of the month. Dec. 11, Jan. 8, and Feb. 12 are the next ones. 9:00 AM start, if you want breakfast arrive 8:00 to 8:30. Lunch is provided by the club and we do try to end things by around 3:00 PM. Our committee meetings are the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM. Upcoming meetings are scheduled: Dec. 28, Jan. 25, and Feb. 22.

 

Docks Chairman