Blackbeard’s Epitaph - “All The News That’s in The Winds “ Volume 34 Number 5 - May 2006 Blackbeard Sailing Club Upper Broad Creek on the Neuse PO Box 1543 New Bern, NC 28563 Phone 252-633-3990 FROM THE COMMODORE by Ken Gurganus The summer is upon us already with warming weather and sunny days. Activities have been brisk at Blackbeard with our Clark Cup regatta completed the last weekend in April with some vicious winds both days. It was white-knuckle sailing in the creek and out on the river. Mostly in the range of 15 to 20 knots with gusts considerable higher at times. But the sailors persevered and the Regatta came off as scheduled. We served 136 hungry sailors and club members a seafood and chicken dinner catered by perennial favorite “Strange & Sons” as they backed their trailer up to the clubhouse and started cooking Saturday afternoon. Of all the dinners we have catered, these folks do just an outstanding job. Shrimp, fish and chicken fresh out of the cooker is hard to beat. Sometimes it’s delightful to find a familiar name that you recognize and can relate to in the local newspaper. Our own Jim Brown, of Duck Creek fame, made the front page last month with stories of storms off the Florida coast, the US Navy, the Coast Guard, and of course Jim and Nancy. Jim & Nancy are back in New Bern with us again and I can’t wait to hear the tales and stories of their adventures. I’m sure we’re in for a treat. Welcome back to Jim and Nancy. The May 12th News & Observer’s front-page article on the abundance of “ticks” in North Carolina was certainly an eye opener. We have noted a number of reports of finding them at our club as well. Be vigilant and alert to these pests as they can carry diseases. If venturing in the wooded areas, or even around the dock-boxes, a good idea is to spray your shoes and lower trousers with a repellent like “OFF” or any other insect repellent. This can to be a big help in keeping them at bay. And check yourself carefully, as they are very small and hard to spot. With a forecasted active storm season approaching, our Dockmaster and assistant dockmasters will be actively checking the docks for improperly tied dock lines. Make sure you are following the proper guidelines and do it correctly for the safety of your boat, your neighbor’s boat, and our docks. This is not just for hurricanes, but an afternoon storm can pop up at any time. We’ve even clocked winds in the 30 to 35 knot range this week at the club. So be prepared, or you may be getting a call from our Dockmaster. Following one of the Hurricane preparedness committee recommendations, and in partnership with Blue Seas communications, the Board has authorized the use of our Internet weather computer for club member’s awareness of weather conditions on a full time year round basis. This was used last year during the storm season and proved to be very popular as storms could be tracked in real time terms. So from now on, even if you’re only going out for a short cruise, you can check the weather for actual and forecasted conditions first, and of course track any storms in the area. A side benefit of this “wireless” setup is that you can also use own laptop in the clubhouse to access the Internet by wireless for personal use. Our Dock box area is showing signs of getting quite cluttered with “stuff”. Do not store anything on the ground under the platforms and do your part to keep this area neat and clean. This is your club, keep it the very best. Ken Gurganus CRUISE NEWS by Larry Brodsky For the first time since I have been organizing our spring cruise, I canceled the cruise due to the weather forecast. Saturday was forecast to have some significant thunderstorms and strong winds, with little or no sun all day into Sunday. A couple of people had already contacted me to withdraw. For those who had e-mailed me in advance I simply sent an e-mail. I also posted a sign under the clubhouse. If you did not get the word through either of those methods, please send me an e-mail next time. It seemed to be a wise decision, at least on Saturday. Pam and I went out on Friday in what was supposed to be 10-15 knots and sun. It was 5-10 knots until we crossed the river, the wind died for about 5 minutes and then came back at 20 knots. It blew 15-25 the rest of the day. We sailed down to Clubfoot and back, close reach down, beam reach back. While it was exhilarating, it reminded me of how rough the Neuse can get when the wind exceeds 20 knots. We were happy to finally return to Blackbeard for the evening. It became cloudier as the day wore on and Saturday had some significant rain, thunder, and wind, although the NOAA site showed peak gusts only around 30-35 knots. It looks like the storm front passed right over the South River and vicinity. On Sunday I noted that the afternoon was nice with moderate winds, but Saturday would have been no fun! So, we'll see if the weather cooperates for something later in the year. As a reminder, I still intend to head down towards Beaufort and Cape Lookout starting on June 10 and returning June 15, 16, or 17. I will probably depart around 9AM on June 10, intending to anchor in Cedar Creek the first night. I plan to motor to Beaufort on Sunday and head out to the Cape on Monday for at least a couple of nights. I want to stay flexible to avoid nasty weather. Anyone interested in tagging along for all or part of the trip, send me an e-mail at LSBRODSKY@earthlink.net. RACE NEWS by Mark Brennesholtz CLARK CUP HAS WIND IN SPADES The good news was that sometimes the wind dropped below 20 knots. The bad new was that it often hit 30! And with the wind out of the northeast, even the creek was not spared the chop. In fact, one SJ 21 lost the mast in a pre-start collision, and an Ensign swamped. There were many DNS and DNF in the creek and on the river. The spinnaker classes were sort of a misnomer. In the three races, I only saw four spinnakers from the “A” fleet guys, and we in “B” never took them out of the bag. Compass Rose was approaching 8 knots off the wind with reefed main and #2 genoa! Oriental Dinghy Club continued their dominance with a deep, skilled team. They took firsts in Spinnaker A, Spinnaker B, and Ensigns and ended with 8 team points. NYRA beat Blackbeard by one point. They had 13, we had 14. The top scoring BSC boats were Eddy Parker in Spin A (3rd), Mark Brennesholtz in Spin B (2nd), Dave Whitney in Non-spin B (2nd), Bill Starr in Non-spin B (3rd), Doug Phelps in Non-spin A (4th) tied with Mike Bonner in SJs (4th). Thanks to all the Team Blackbeard members. The next ICRC Team event is the Dragon’s Breath in early August at ODC. Thanks to the RC. They did a super job on the river under Ken Gurganus, and I heard that the creek crew was equal. By the way, Eddy Parker’s Brown Eyed Girl was among five Neuse boats to go to Charleston Race Week. I believe they finished second to former BSC sailor Eric Rosenbaum (Frequent Flyer) in the hot Beneteau 36.7 class. Congratulations to both boats! MAY, JUNE & JULY EVENTS May 20 & 21 is the NYRA Invitational. We’re very happy that it is being held up-river this year, out of NW Creek Marina. BBQ dinner Saturday night at NWC. Contact Mike Foster at 252-633-2728 or mdfoster@esisnet.com. The NOR and registration form are available at www.nyra.org if you look closely. May 27 & 28 is the NCYRA in Beaufort. This is a round-the-buoys event with a twist – it’s in the ocean off Beaufort. The NCYRA is being run by NYRA now, and it’s a SAYRA qualifying race. Contact Mike Foster. June 3 is the Oriental Cup. It is a scholarship benefit race in Oriental and is combined with a big shore party. June 10& 11 is PSC’s Pirates on the Pungo. It will be toned down a bit this year. Contact Charlie Nelson at 252-355-4617 or cenelson@aol.com. June 23 & 24 is the SJ 21 Eastern Nationals at Lake Murray, SC. Contact Mike Harrison at 252-636-8383. June 24 is also the PSC Indian Island to Ocracoke Race, overnight. Still a regular for Neuse racers. Contact Charlie Nelson. July 8 & 9 is the Hancock Regatta. The folks at HYC always go all out for their one big event. Hospitality is super and food is great. Hancock is barely a two-hour cruise from Blackbeard, dockage is always free. Contact Susan Barnwell at jcollyar@ec.rr.com. ODDS AND ENDS BSC extends condolences to Rebecca & Norman Kendall on the recent death of Norm’s mother. Wendy and Arnie Giles are off again . . . to England!! But they are not going by boat. Sailor Bob Bianco, former organizer and director of the Craven Community Band is now organizing the Fife & Drum Corps at Tryon Palace. Bob just cannot stay retired. Sailors just cannot stay away from BSC. Grey Whitford, who is recovering from a recent illness, made a quick trip to BSC to check on the Clark Cup racers. Grey has been a very active supporter and contributor to the success of many races. It was good to see him about. WOMAN AT LAKE WORTH GIVES ARNOLD THE BIRD by Wendy Giles We were anchored at Lake Worth, and it was a rough, windy morning when Arnold saw a lady jump from her boat and swim toward a parrot, which was floundering in the water and being windswept further away from the boat. The bird, which had had its wings clipped, so was unable to fly, and had ‘escaped’ from their cabin. Arnold jumped into the dinghy and rowed furiously toward woman and bird, and was handed a barely alive parrot, while the woman (quite elderly), was unable to get into the dinghy so just hung on to it. Finally her husband arrived at the scene, and he towed Arnold (giving parrot kiss of life), and woman (hanging onto dinghy), back to our boat. Arnold was unable to row as an oarlock had come unstuck from his dinghy, with the exerted rowing on the way out. Woman and parrot survived; the dinghy is destined for the trash. A SAILOR’S TALE OF AN UNFATEFUL TRIP Friday .......June 9th 6:30pm Blackbeard Sailing Club Ken mentioned the “news” making headlines about a BSC member and all the government resources he enlisted. Well now is your chance to get the real story. All members are welcome to hear the "Tales of the Sea", with Jim Brown & Nancy May. Bring something to grill and a dish to share...Hear all about their rescue at sea, and tell a few of your own stories. This will surely be an entertaining and probably educational experience for all. Call Leigh Pfefferkorn at 229.9275 if you need more info. EDITOR NEEDED FOR EPITAPH It is with heavy heart that I must announce a change is required in the BSC structure. Debra and I will be relocating to Louisiana in the next few months and therefore will be unable to timely serve the needs of BSC as editors of the Epitaph. If you would care to volunteer to serve in this capacity, please contact Ken Gurganus as soon as possible. You may also reach me if you have any questions by phone, 252-349-1053 or email chezhedgeo@earthlink.net. It has been a pleasure and honor to serve in this function and we will truly miss BSC and the wonderful times and friends. Thank you for all the input, advice and friendship. Rudy & Debra Mayer FOR SALE 45lb. CQR plow anchor and rode. Like new. Used only 3 times to anchor our former Hunter 37 in Broad Creek during hurricanes. The boat never moved. 2006 West Marine new prices: Anchor $672, 200' of 5/8" three strand anchor line $200, 15' of 5/16" chain $65. Total $957. For sale at 50% of new price, $468. Located Fairfield Harbour. 252-636-5492 or pollocknewb@aol.com. Don Pollock San Juan 23, 1986. Currently in slip A9. Thesaurus is well equipped and in very good condition. Sale includes a tandem axle roller trailer and 2005 Nissan 4 stroke 6 hp engine. 3 foresails, a 150, 110 and a storm jib. New standing and running rigging in 2004. Contact Rudy Mayer at 252-349-1053 or chezhedgeo@earthlink.net . FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: We again have several membership openings to be filled and the following people have submitted applications. In accordance with our membership guidelines, any member comments concerning these applicants should be directed to Anne Davis, Membership Chairman at (919) 779-0646 or by email at piratesgold49@hotmail.com. Bob & Mary Moore New Bern Raf & Linda Belliard New Bern Andy & Sally Johnson New Bern Tim Baiardo ` New Bern Tom & JoAnn Riley New Bern Bob & Kathy Fortenbaugh New Bern Ken & Suzy Walker Greenville John & Connie Pitcavage Raleigh Dave & Mimi Watrous New Bern Bill & Tinka Talbert New Bern