December 8, 2007

As 2007 draws to a close, past Fleet Captain and his first mate Karan Cooper were kind eonugh to host the annual PC Holiday party at their home. Our thanks to Bennet for all the time and effort he has put in to guide the fleet these past two years and put us on a windward course. We also thank him and Karan for allowing all of us to fill their home. In our usual pot luck fashion, everyone bought a wonderful dish, with Bennet and Karan filling in the void with drinks, wonderful starters and other terrific plates. I can promise that no one walked away hungry!! The house was packed and everyone seemed to have a terrific time. THANK YOU BOTH!!! Photos can be seen in the "2007 Holiday Party " folder in the photo gallary.

The new Fleet Captain, Tom Hurlburt welcomed new fleet members Holly and shawn Hervey and made a brief anouncement regarding the coming year's schedule. Tom promised that the , well received, Friday Frolic Fun sailing will continue this coming summer. Those of you who have not joined us, should put it on your calendar. I will make announcments as the summoer grows near. As in the past, Dave Grundies (#72) made calendars available to all of us with great photos taken by SDYC member and fleet supporter Tom Dingman. Thanks to you both for a beautiful calendar that we all enjoy all year long.

And so ends another great year for the PC Fleet. We continue to grow and expect to have have the usual PC "good time" at all the coming year's events.

Have a Great and SAFE holiday and New Year's Eve!!

October 11, 2007

Super HUGE News!

I am now able to announce that the new fleet members are SDYC Flag Member Sumner T. Bookwalter and his daughter, Holly D. Hervey! Holly tells me that they made it as far south as Oceanside and will complete the trip to the SDYC this weekend. She will be at the club for a bit to check her out and to locate a slip. Both Holly and Sumner have sailed with the fleet during the Fantasticly Fun Friday Frolic summer sails with many of us and Holly is clealy is a SERIOUS PC sailer! The fleet needs fresh blood willing to spill some, so we welcome them both!!

#46 will have her name changed back to the original, "Theis" (The Greek "Water goddess".

All you "hot dogs" out there better be ready. Theis is coming to get you!!!

SPECIAL THANKS!

For several years, SDYC member and PC Fleet supporter Tom Dingman, has generously taken HUNDREDS of great photos at the PC Nationals. You can see his work on the PC website under the "Racing Photos" section. Special thanks go to Tom for his kindness!! We hope you enjoy his efforts

October 10, 2007

PC Nationals Photos!!

Thanks for PC supporter and friend Tom Dingman, the "Photos" page has a wonderful group of the 2007 PC Nationals photos. Thank you, Tom, for this gift to us all!!

#46

It's official! #46 is not officially a San Diego Bay PC Fleet boat! the new owners were bravely sailed her down from Marina del Rey. Sometime during the voyage, a good size wave from a passing smoke belcher resulted in a broken boom (yes...the vang was cleated tight!). She will be repaired and will be down soon.

 

September 18, 2007

On September 27th, the PC Fleet will hold a meeting at the SDYC to vote on the newly established PC Bylaws. It has been many years since the PC Association took a serious look at the bylaws and suggested changes to adapt to the last 75 years of fleet racing. Under the direction of Fleet Captain Bennet Greenwald and the PC Executive Committee, a Technical Committee was appointed to review and suggest modifications in wording which would account for changes in "modern" materials and acceptable modifications to the yachts. The goal was/is to keep the boats competative as One Designs, yet allow for some degree of modification at assorted controlled levels. The Technical Committee is composed of Navel Architect and experienced sailor, Greg Stewart, notable sailor with America's Cup experience, Bruce Sutphan and Past Kettenburg Boat Works yard manager/PC Boatwright and experienced PC Sailor, Bud Caldwell.

This was a long overdue accomplishment. Fleet Captain Greenwald, the Exectutive Committee and the Technical Commitee are all to be commended. This task did not come without long hours, discourse and frustration. Remember that the goal of the assignment is to keep our 75 year old fleet of wooden racing boats, competative, growing and to spark the interest of others who wish to become part of our growing San Diego Bay Fleet. The Fleet meeting will be held at the SDYC at 5:00 PM on Thursday, Sept. 27th. Anyone who would care to learn more about our fleet and sail with us is welcomed to attend.

September 17, 2007

As promised on Sept. 10th, I am giving an update about the arrival of #46. The new owner is sailing the boat down from MDR and we expect to see her at the club the last weekend of September!!

#76, SPIRIT

Past owner of SPIRIT, #76, Dan Trail was kind enough to dig out some old photos of his boat when she was on the hard up in Alaska. Sorry for the poor photo contrast and color but it is the best we can do. Remember that this boat was at the SDYC for many years and owned by SDYC member Chris Mckesson who now lives in Washington. SPIRIT followed Chris north and she never came back. At some time there after, she went to Alsaka with Dan. Dan sold the boat to Mr. Joe Estep in 1999. After a few years of the vessel languishing in a harbor up in Alaska. After a years, the port put her up to auction for back mooring fees and she was purchased by "Richard". I do not know Richard's last name so I hope he will register the boat on the Kettenburg Website or contact me. I am told by Dan that Richard loves the boat and has every intention to save her. Check out the photos on the "Photos" page.

September 10, 2007

Although the FF Fun Races are officially ending because our summer is, there are those of us who will be leaving the dock on Friday afternoons at 2PM just because it has proven to be a wonderful way to spend some time with other PC sailors on and "almost" empty bay and ocean. For those of you who never joined us, I can tell you that you missed some great afternoons and GREAT drinks on the deck after sailing. You should try to join us soon!!

 

BIG NEWS!

#46 is coming down from Marina del Rey and will be joining the fleet!! Keep checking in for additional details!!!

 

August 18, 2007

The August 17th Friday Frolic Fun race was won by #16. The winds were light but excellent sailing skills brought Rish and Cissy total success. As always, the winner of the race bought a round of drinks for all in attendance. Since there were no other boats with us, I only had to buy a round for the two of us.

 

Friend Bruce Anderson is ready to splash #35, AZORA, after years of restoration at Bill Clark's yard which evolved into Traditional Boatworks last year. I am told that the boat will be splashed at Kohelerkraft on the 24th. Call the yard for the exact time. A party is to be held at the Silvergate YC at 4 PM at the bar. We look forward to see the LAST prewar PC built, back sailing. She was trucked down from the Seattle area where she was raced pretty hard in PHRF events. There had been serious modifications to the hull, deck and cabin. She even had an aluminium mast! Thanks to Bill, Doug Jones and Bruce's hard work, she will be back to "normal"...if there is such a thing for a PC! Look for her sailing in the bay!!!

 

July 19, 2007

The Fabously Famous Fun Friday Frolic PC sailing events continue. We have had some light days because of The Wooden Boat Festival, other conflicting events or obligations and (as of late) beause our intrepid leader, Captain Nancy Hurlburt (#31) electid to spend some time in Paris with crew menber, Tom, instead of with the rest of the fleet. Tom and Nancy will be back next week and I expect to see them out on Fridays with Cissy, me and whom ever shows up. Again, I remind you all that this is a really low key fun event that is really fun so please join us.

 

For those of you who do not know it, PC #50 left for Rhode Island. A PC loving boat Wright, Richard Eberhard, who has a lot of experience and is a friend of S Class sailor, Mike McCaffery. I wish Richard the best with his lovely new boat! Gossip tells me that #46 is going to live in New Jersy. I will tell you more when I learn it...

June 27, 2007

The "Friday Frolic" sailing is still going on and will continue through out the summer. #14 has joined in and it was good to see her out. Those fleet members who are interested should remember that we leave the dock at 2PM promptly. Come join us!!

June 8, 2007

Today was the second of the "Friday Frolic" sails. We had a total of 3 boats join us. #16, 31 and 54. Fleet Captian Greenwald wanted to bring his boat, but there wa a "hic up" with his crew so he paid the price and had to sail with Cissy and me (#16). We had a great afternoon on the water. The best part was when Tom and Nancy (#31) had to buy drinks AGAIN because she is such a hot helms person!! I LOVE losing!!! As we were dropping our main back at the finish, we saw #81 just heading out. We hope she will join us next time!

Where are all you PC people?? Don't you get it?? It's possible that #31 will pick up the bar tab FOREVER!!! You just need to show up!!

Come join us!!

June 1, 2007

The first "Friday Frolic" PC Summer Friday afternoon summer sail was a complete success. Thanks to Tom Tom Hurlburt (#31) for organizing the event. We sailed with a group of 5 PCs. #16, 18, 21, 31 and 54. As promised, the first Rock Star in (Nancy #31) made Tom move the moths aside from his wallet and buy a round of drinks for the group on the deck after washing down the boats. These events are very casual and only about 2 hours out of our busy lives, so I encourage all the PC fleet to join us. With 29 PCs in San Diego Bay...wouldn't it be great to see 15 or 20 boats + out on the water for a fun sail together?? Pls try to join us every Friday at 2 PM.

May 27, 2007

Don't forget that the 17th Annual Wooden Boat Festival will be coming up on Father's Day Weekend at the Koehler Kraft boatyard on Shelter Island!! The yard is in the middle of a $2M plus revovation..so things will be a bit hectic (What??? At Koehler's?????) but we will have fun and there are a lot of great boats expected. Please join us on June 16th and 17th. Proceeds will go to benefit the sailing group "Challenged America", headed up by friend, Urban Miyares. http://interwork.sdsu.edu/web_announcements/challenged-america.htm Please come and join us and help support a group of fellow sailors!!

May 15, 2007

PC FUN Sailing!!!

The summer is almost here and the PC Executive Committee came up with a terrific idea! They want to see more boats on the water so they are scheduling a 2 PM Friday casual sail for all fleet members beginning June 1st!! Here is your chance to get out with friends, family and new guests to have a fun afternoon on the water. Tom Hurlburt, #31, promises that this is a FUN sail! Probably in the bay unless we all feel we should head out a bit. This 2-3 hour get together will be non spinnaker and JUST A FUN SAIL!! How could anyone resist that??? Those of you who are Race-A-olics can call it a race and the rest of us will just have a heck of a time behind you!! Tom is hoping he can use us as an excuse to drink on the deck after we get back to the dock, so please do plan on joining us. Call Tom Hurlburt at 619-223-3315 if you plan to join in, just so we have a rough head count. We are hoping these Friday afternoon sails will continue all through the summer so stop making excuses and PLEASE join us and show support to your fleet. Those who would rather sail with someone else will surely find a boat going out with space, so just show up. Of course, we would love to see ANOTHER PC in the group but the idea is FUN not pressure!!! There is only one rule: "NO WHINING".....SO....JOIN US!!!!

March 18, 2007

MISSING!!!!

Ok...So here are the missing trophies that I am looking for. They are:

The Caldwell Cup

The Sun Trophy

The Small Trophy

The Round (Jim) Trophy

I have photos of the first three. The Round Trophy is described as a "Brass boat on a wood base. Please contact me if you know where any of these trophies might be located. I suspect the last recipient took them home and because the race was (for whatever reason) not raced again, the last owner kept them. I know they are out there somewhere!!!

February 7, 2007

The SDYC trophy committee is working hard to bring our trophies up to date and have the names of past winners engraved. To date, I have discovered 20 names that were absent from 6 different PC trophies. If you have award plates and want to make sure your name is on the appropriate trophy, PLEASE send me an email to make sure I have the corrrect information. Trophies are being engraved soon!

February 1, 2007

Duxbury, Ma. Team Race Repeat!

Members from the Duxbury YC will come to San Diego on March 29th for a repeat of the PC/Pintail Class team races held in Duxbury, Ma. last year. This will be the 2rd time that the Duxbury folks will sail against the SDYC PC fleet. David Lowry (member of both the SDYC and the DYC), as he did last year, worked with members of the SDYC PC fleet to help sechedule the event. The Duxbury group hosted a terrific team race last year and we plan to return that kindness in March. PC Fleet Captain Bennet Greenwald (#18) asked SDYC Staff Commodore Gary Gould (#14) to organize the weekend. Tom Hurlburt (#31), Barry Worthington (#54) and Geeves Kenny (#14) also will assist with entertainment and housing. Jack Sutphen (#62), George Lindley (#14) and Betty Sue Sherman (#84) will join in the regatta as well. The weekend will include parties, dinners and an awards ceremony to follow the last race.. We welcome the East Coast sailors and hope they enjoy their visit with the PC Fleet!!!

PC Executive Committee Business

The newly formed PC Executive committee continues to make great progress. In an effort to define the By-Laws to more accurately address today's boats and materials, the committee appointed a Technical Committee. The committee has, to date, done a fine job of addressing several issues brought to the table. The three members are:

Alex "Bud" Caldwell- Past Kettenburg employee and avid PC Skipper

Greg Stewart- Accomplished sailor and Navel Architect

Bruce Sutphen- Accomplished sailor with significant technical experience

The fleet is thrilled to have this team of experts to help solve our problems and keep all the boats competitive as "One Designs".

January 28, 2007

HELP!!!! Fool that I am..I agreed to help the SDYC sort out and update the PC trophy group. This task is long over due and I fear that answers to many of the questions will never be answered. Several years went by when we were all remiss in seeing to it that names were recorded and trophies engraved properly. Now might be a good time to check the trays or trophies on your book shelf and make that information available to me. I am especially interested in the last 50 years. There are serious "holes" in the '70s and '80s but every bit of information helps. Anyone who won any of the 17 PC trophies would be kind to make the trophy name and year availible to me. Leaving a quick note at the front desk would be fine. The club is making a strong effort to see that skippers are acknowledged.

More importantly, there are 4 perpetual trophies from teh fleet that have dissappeared. They are the Caldwell Cup (a 3 ocean race series held immediately prior to the Nationals), The Sun Trophy (a 3 race series), The Small Trophy (a 3 ocean race series) and the Round Trophy. I will post 3photos of the 4 missing trophies. They are not great photos, but they are all I have. Please check your shelves and see if any of these trophies ended up in your home or if you know their whereaouts.

 

October 2, 2006

On Oct. 17th, the PC Executive Committee will be held to discuss Fleet business. This will be the first meeting of the newly elected committee. Officers nominated are:

Fleet Captain Bennet Greenwald #18

Secretary Tom Hurlburt #31

Treasurer Jack Sutphen #62

Member at Large Gene Trepte #26

Fleet Measurer Greg Stewart

Ballots were sent out on Sept. 18th and it is expected that all nominations will be approved and accepted. This marks a major step forward for the fleet. All fleet members are invited to attend.

 

September 29, 2006

Don't miss the results of the PC Nationals! Check out the race results on the Racing Page!!

September 22, 2006

I received a contact from Trish Eaton, who married accomplished sailor and PC Champion, Chuck, a few years back. We met at the club and spent a couple of hours just talking and looking at photos and articles that Trish made availble to me. It was a great morning and she helped me to put together the pieces for a short tribute to Chuck on the "Roll Call of Honor" page. http://sdyc.org/pc/rollcall/eaton.htm

July 6, 2006

Under the direction of Fleet Captain Bennet Greenwald, #18 MINX, a fleet meeting was held at the SDYC to discuss necessary adoption of new Fleet Constitution, By Laws and Specifications. These are specific to the San Diego PC Fleet and do not affect the former association Rules. With the passing of Paul Kettenburg and with the restoration of so many boats, it is clearly necessary to adopt a set of Rules for the San Diego PC Fleet so that we can act legally and in accordance with due process. We should adopt the new rules and elect new Fleet Association officers, and a measurer as an executive committee. That Executive Committee will then look at modifications, weights, sails, equipment and restoration methods of the boats and consult with the Fleet as appropriate.

This meeting served to discuss the new rules. Members present were very supportive of the fleet captain's efforts. Copies of a final draft and ballots are being distributed and a follow up meeting will be held on July 22nd for a final voite on the new rules. We will then elect new officers and a measurer to serve as the Executive Committee to help with further decision making.

June, 2006

The month of June, sadly, brought the loss of #21 co-owner Pete Peckham. Pete was a friend to all and always managed to bring a smile to your face. He was a great guy and fleet and SDYC will miss him greatly.

May 21, 2006

The PC fleet and owners of all Kettenburg boats lost a friend and supporter. Paul Kettenburg passed on. Shortly before his death, Paul and the rest of the Kettenburg family agreed to hand off all K Boat plans and many records to the San Diego Maritime Museum. Paul was a respected man with many friends and he will be missed.

April 22, 2006

At the 121st SDYC "Opening Day", the entire membership was treated to see our Commodore's Flag Ship, PC #84 at the dock near the ceremony. She was decked out in colorful flags and beautiful to see. A day earlier, she sailed in the Opening Day Race.

Fred and Connie Smales, of Hawaii, were on hand to enjoy Opening Day as well. Fred is best known for his activity with the LA PC Fleet, sailing PAMALIN, #30, in the 1960's and 1970's.

#16 DAWN was awarded the trophy for "Best Maintained Kettenburg PC".

April 19, 2006

SDYC club member, Russell Clark, was kind enough to call me and give a detailed account of one of the "missing" PC's, Hull #39. Russell owned this boat in the early 1970's and detailed the demise of the vessel in the late 1980's. The "Owner's History List", "Boat Names" and "Fleet Roster" information has been changed accordingly. Thanks, Russell!!

April 15, 2006

The San Diego Maritime Museum and Mystic Seaport Museum are collaborating to write a book on The Kettenburg Boat Works. Mr. Mark Allen (formally of the SDMM) is directing the authorship, using audio interviews as well as the personal records and photos of many local PC skippers to complete the book. Many people have offered materials, written compositions and are serving as proof readers to keep the facts straight. Among these people are Gene Trepte, Wally Springstead, Rish Pavelec and others. We look forward to the book being completed by the end of the summer.

April 10, 2006

The Kettenburg family has elected to hand over all drawings of the K boats to the San Diego Maritime Museum. Under the direction of Ron Render and Bob Kyle (and with the assistance of Rish Pavelec) all plans and drawings were identified, cataloged and transported to the Museum offices. There they will be safely stored for historical purposes and under the control of the museum staff. It is hoped that under strict control of the museum, Kettenburg owners who are interested in copies of plans needed for restorations might obtain a copy from the museum.

February 7, 2006

Read the February 2006 edition of the Ancient Mariners, Albatross, which features Rish Pavelec's (#16 DAWN) talk about the PC Fleet.

January 18, 2006

Neil Atwood (prior owner of PC #83 and now PCC #1) has Co-founded the "Classic Yacht Foundation" along with Charles Rhone. This non profit group is an attempt to save the many classic yachts which are lost to old age and neglect. Once they are gone, a piece of history dies with them and is lost forever. The foundation will accept classic yachts on a tax deductible donation basis with the intention of restoring them and offering them for sale to the general public to keep the foundation alive. Cash donations are accepted to help with restoration work.

January 17, 2006

I recently made a trip over to Hancock Street to look at #35. For those of you who do not know, Master Ship-wright, Doug Jones took over the yard since Bill Clark retired. Doug's business will continue to be "Traditional Boatworks" but on a larger scale. The owner of #35, Bruce Anderson, was there working on his boat and she looks GREAT! Keep your eyes open for her sail number on the bay within a month or two!!!

January 12, 2006

The new Ancient Mariners Sailing Society for 2006 is Beth Boucher, Skipper of PC #37! Beth is an active PC fleet member and now doing her share to help the AMSS grow. Those who have not joined the AMSS may attend the "General Meeting" (First Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM at the SWYC) or contact Membership Director, Bonnie McVaughn at bonitaada@yahoo.com or 858-456-1626.

January 1, 2006

Remember that the 2006 Calendar will have events added as necessary. Please check it often!!! Contact us should you feel I missed something!

December 14, 2005

For 2006, the San Diego Bay PC Fleet website is up and running! We will provide historical information on the history of the boats and their owners, as well as up to date event notices and race results. We would be happy to add any information you have about the fleet, it's boats and owners, so contact us!