Bilge Pump: October 2010

 This year’s QCYC fishing derby was again another successful weekend. We had a total of 12 boats, 37 fishermen and 28 non-fishermen. Among the 37 fishermen only 11 fish were caught - not many fish out there this year to be caught. The winning fish, 10 ¼ pounds, was caught by J’Anna Post. She received $100 for 1st place and she picked a haulout donated by Delta Marine. We are looking forward for the Post family to carry on with the 2011 fishing derby. All fishermen and non-fishermen received drawing prizes from the many donations by the many vendors. Thanks for all the time and effort by Diane Prestebak for gathering up all the donations.

We served a total of 64 dinners with the help of the following: my son and daughter-in-law Phil and Tina Damery , Kathy Montgomery, Karen Coughlin, Dorothy Cooper, Bob & Diane Prestebak and Irene Nelson. And special thanks for the night clean up crew, Tim & Carolyn DeCook.

On Sunday we had eye openers bar tended by Chuck Cooper alone with coffee and treats. And a special thanks for our qualified fish weigher, Gordy Foote, who spent many hours just waiting for the boats to arrive to write down the correct weight .

JIM DAMERY
Fishing Derby Chairman 2010

Screw Up Flags and Long Cruise

Screw Up Flags

If you were at the first meeting in September, you heard that four members “earned” screw up flags this summer. “Congratulations” (or condolences) go to Craig Ranta for a run-away dinghy, Dean Lentgis for locking his keys in the parade car; Kent Soffel for hitting a rock twice in Alaska (different rocks); and Don Wilson for hitting a rock in the San Juans.

Long Cruise

Did you know that it is the same distance between La Conner and Seattle and Olympia and Seattle? Some people can get to La Conner in a day. We, on the long cruise, took 10 days to get to Olympia.

Our long cruise started out at the Outstation with a salmon dinner for nearly 40 hungry boaters. The next day found us at Des Moines, where the dock crew rearranged boats to accommodate our group, which at that time included Big Brivet (our boat), Hey Jude (V/C Don and Judy Wilson), DelicaSea (Dave and LuAnne Armstrong), Warp Speed (Jon and Joyce Vaughn), Wish Giver (P/C Rich and Christine McCroskey), Aqua Amo (Bill and Millie Grayson), Escargot (Diane and Terry Carlisle), High Time (Bob and Carol Randolph), Choppers (Marge and Terry Baker), and Moon River (John and MaryLouise Alvig).

It was a hot day in Tacoma, so we took over the shady part of the dock for a get together on the first night. After exploring the various museums and downtown area, we ventured to the Old Spaghetti Factory for dinner. New members Jim and Jeanne Miller and their son, Josh, drove many of us and joined us for dinner.

Our cruise included many such great dinners, potluck hors d’oeuvre parties, potlucks, barbecues. We even had fresh crab, caught by Mark and Sheri Pywell, who joined us at Filucy Bay. Barb and Larry Knutsen met us at Fair Harbor. Earlier, we had said goodbye to the Bakers, Vaughns, Carlisles, Wilsons, and Randolphs.

After a visit to the ferry museum and barbecue on the grass at Fair Harbor, we journeyed to Jarrell Cove, where we all got onto the park dock. It was really hot, so Rich and Chris McCroskey helped cool us down with some homemade margaritas. MaryLouise Alvig introduced Dorothy and Barb Knutsen to kayaking, while Chris McCroskey tried a 3-mile walk around the cove, and LuAnne Anderson searched for photographic moments. Most of the day was lazy and we hid from the heat until the weenie roast. There is no electricity at the dock, and Larry Knutsen’s all-electric boat experienced a “brown out” -- perhaps because he ran his hot water heater all night?

We awoke to clouds and the start of wind, which stayed with us on our passage to Olympia -- 15 to 25 knots easily, but fairly flat seas. Millie and Bill Grayson experienced a battery problem which delayed their departure and we gathered at their slip and cheered and sang when they joined us hours later.

Our first night in Olympia found us at Anthony's Hearthside Grill for their happy hour. While Andersons and Pywells made plans to leave, the crews of the five remaining boats explored the Farmer's Market and "Sand City," an annual sand sculpture event. Big Brivet was the venue for the final event, wrapping up a fun cruise with absolutely wonderful people!

Thanks to all who participated in our Fleet Captain’s cruises this year. It is YOU who made them fun!

Larry Dubia
Fleet Captain (ret)

OLSEN, ERLING V. (BUB)     July 23, 1918 - August 6, 2010

Longtime Queen City member and Port Angeles community leader Captain Erling V. "Bub" Olsen Jr. passed away August 6, 2010, from age-related causes. At his death, Bub was QCYC member #001!

Captain Olsen was born July 23, 1918, in Seattle, Washington, and graduated from North Kitsap High School. Bub, as he was always called, attended the University of Washington, where he rowed for the crew team. His college career, however, was cut short by the attack on Pearl Harbor and his entering the Navy. He served in the Navy during World War II as a Chief Petty Officer.

In 1940 Bub married Alice in Seattle and they were married for more than 70 years! The Olsens had three children: Sharon (who passed away in 1959), Sandy Sinnes (Lee) and Tom Olsen (Wendy).

In 1954, the Olsens moved to Port Angeles where Bub was offered an opportunity with Atlantic Richfield. He was a business leader in Port Angeles, where he was not only the Atlantic Richfield distributor for many years but also owned Tire Town and Pressure Matic.

Bub's pride in Port Angeles was reflected in his community activities. He was a member of many community service organizations. In retirement, Bub was a leading supporter of the Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby, a fundraiser for the Olympic Medical Center Foundation. For 20 years, Bub organized the "Quacker Backers" team, "adopted out" more than 15,000 ducks, raised over $79,000 for the Hospital Foundation, hosted numerous "quackers and cheese" strategy sessions and hosted the race-day luncheon for volunteers that is now known as "Bub's Very Important Duck Party." Bub and Alice were honored by the Hospital Foundation for their years of service and were named “Outstanding Volunteers” for the years 1990-2000.

As a youth, Bub had completed the requirements necessary to become an Eagle Scout. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he wasn't able to be initiated then, and wasn't officially sworn in as an Eagle Scout until 2002, when he was 84 years old. This remarkable event was covered by the national news media, Bub was interviewed on Good Morning America, and he instantly became the oldest new Eagle Scout in America.

Bub and Alice traveled throughout the world over the years, and both were well known as accomplished cooks and generous hosts. Throughout their lives they enjoyed entertaining friends and relatives in their home.

Bub led a full and active life, with many good friends and adoring family members. He was famous for telling dozens of old, interesting and entertaining stories based upon his experiences and adventures over the years. Virtually all of Bub's tales concluded with a wag of his finger, an engaging smile and his final words on the matter: "And THAT'S a true story!"

Captain Olsen joined Queen City in 1949 and was very active in the club until the family moved to Port Angeles. Alice remembers very fondly their friends and social activities at the club. Bub was an avid log racer and participated in many Puget Sound contests and in many ICR contests. The Olsens participated in the Capital to Capital/Alaska 1000 contest the first year it was held after WW II – five boats finished the contest. Bub and Alice with Bob & Geraldine Wilson, plus five children, participated on the Wilson’s 52’ Puget Pride. The Wilsons and the Olsens have been very close friends ever since the 1940’s. When Norm Collins was Commodore (1954) Bub served as the club Steward and, in those days, frequently the club chef! Bub was an active CG Auxiliary member and volunteer.

The Olsens owned a number of boats over the years: the King Bacardi, on which Bub was pictured in the 1953 annual in the Daffodil Yacht Parade with a sign that read “Toast to Tacoma from QCYC Seattle,” the Laverock III, a 43’ Grandy; the San-Tom, a 38’ Tollycraft; and the Yellow Banana a 24’ Sea Ray that Bub, and now his son used as a fishing boat.

P/C Virgil Fey brought Bub to a meeting a couple of years ago and the members were able to celebrate Bub’s #001 status – a wonderful experience for Bub and the members that attended that meeting.

Bub is survived by his wife Alice, children Sandy & Tom, as well as grandchildren Shari Carrell, Cindy Caryl, Matt Sinnes and Andie Kelly; and great-grandchildren, Jake, Drew and Max.

It seems hard to believe but summer has come and gone! I seem to remember a warm spell now and then. Oh well, that's why it's so green in the N.W.!

The ogre (not the dentist I work for - he's great - the other guy) let me take a month off this summer, and we went to the west coast of Vancouver Island. We had a wonderful time fishing, reading, and just relaxing in Clayoquot Sound, and I did think about the Outstation once in a while. But the Outstation was left in good hands, as many members were happy to keep things watered, mowed and spiffed up. Jeff Purvis mowed the lawn just before we returned, and MaryLouise Alving even spent a good part of one day tackling the garden and some of the large weeds that had grown while we were gone. Thank you to all. Maybe the ogre will let me take more time off next summer.

We came back from our trip to a real surprise - there was an airplane in our parking lot! The story we were told is that a vintage float plane blew an engine at the entrance of Eagle Harbor. The Fire Department towed it to our docks, as there was space where the Police boat is normally kept. With the help of some of our members, it was then towed to the launch ramp where it could be placed on a flatbed truck. The wings had been removed but they still needed to secure it for road travel. Our club offered the gravel area of our parking lot to finish securing the craft, and we got back just in time to see it parked up there. This has to be a first for the club. As members we are supposed to come to the aid of our fellow boaters - now we can add planes to that oath!

A week before Labor Day weekend we had another fire on a member's boat. Again, it was caught in time and the damage consisted of smoke and wiring damage. This is second fire here this summer and in both cases a smoke detector was not installed. Per the suggestion of the Asst. Fire Chief, fire detectors should be part of the equipment we have on our boats. If either of these fires had occurred during the wee hours of the morning, the results could have been much different.

We were out cruising as the Labor Day weekend went into full swing. We knew this event would be a success as the chairpersons of the event, Steve and Karen Coughlin, started e-mailing us early in the season to begin planning for the weekend. The food was plenty and we understand a Jess Hill-inspired drink was prepared and well-enjoyed. Very much enjoyed. Very, very much enjoyed.

Just a reminder to those that have forgotten and for the new members that might plan a visit to the Outstation, winter moorage begins September 15th, which means that the dock space on the inside of the "U" is reserved for winter moorage boats. When you come over, please tie up on the outside of the docks.

We are looking forward to the cruise planned at the Outstation for Halloween weekend. Eric was really excited when he learned there will be a "macaroni and cheese" casserole cook-off - he's already starting to search for the perfect recipe. We hope to see you out here!

Late-breaking news: The Fishing Derby was hosted by Jim Damery, and the place was packed. The Biggest Loser (oops, I meant Winner) was J'Anna Post, who along with Larry will now get to put on next year's Derby.

Barb Wood

REGATTA POWER REPORT

There have been no races by press time so the report for the SYC Stimson Race will be next month

Upcoming Races

QCYC’s Skipper of the Year will once again be decided at the club’s Flag Officer’s race held on the weekend of Oct 15, 16, and 17. The award ceremony will be part of the Burger bash on Sunday 10/17 at 5 PM. All club members are invited to race and even if you haven’t run a race before, we will be glad to help you time your boat and run the race using our layout.

The Port Orchard YC Fall Round-up to finish the season will be on Sat Oct 9th.

The IPBA Award Banquet will be held Saturday Nov 13 at Richmond YC in BC. You can register at the IPBA website: http://www.ipbalogracing.org/comingevents/default.htm.

First of the Season Race, Jan 22, 2010

The QCYC FOS race will be held on January 22nd with events from the 21st thru 23rd.
Predicted Log Racing Classes

We will again offer classes in January. The classes will start with the basics and proceed through the steps in laying out the race, calculations, currents, running the course and the use of the computer with demonstrations of Excel calculation programs and Coastal Explorer, Nobeltec (and other) charting programs. Weekend boat timing demonstration(s) will also be offered at a convenient time. You are also encouraged to sign up as an observer for the First of the Season race to see how a race is run; or sign up as a racer; use the classes and skull session to plan your race. Meetings will be at 6:30 PM.

Mon Jan 10 – Lay out, Tactics, Nobeltec & Coastal Explorer
Thurs Jan 13 – Calculations, Currents

Tues Jan 18 – 7 PM– Skull session for the First of the Season Race – learn from the “pros.”

All club members and friends are invited. Please join us. To inquire or SIGN UP - call or email Bob Lindal at 206-892-1234 or P/C Jeff Ewell at 206-464-4019.

Bob Lindal
Regatta Power Chair