As usual, the PC fleet has been very active and we’re having a lot of fun, but before I give you the news, I need to take time for a “me-a cul-pa, me-a cul-pa, me-a ma-xi-ma cul-pa” or two. Last month, I stated that PC # 8 was built for Mr. George Jessop. Paul Kettenburg was kind enough to explain the she was built for Mr. Ed Depew. It seems that Mr. Depew, a local contractor, went to brother George Kettenburg and offered a deal. The deal was, “if you build me one of those PC’s, I’ll trade you for a lot I have in Point Loma”! The best part of the story is that Mr. Depew was not convinced that this was, in fact, a good idea, because that lot on Point Loma was worth somewhere near $2,000.00!! The deal was cemented and George K did, in fact, build a home on that lot at a later date!!! George Jessop owned the boat some years later. My regrets for having made yet another factual error and thanks to Paul Kettenburg for setting me straight!
June 11th, 9 PC’s took part in the Annual Kettenburg Regatta. Cissy and I were unable to attend, however we were told that the turnout was great and everyone had a good time. This is one of my favorite calendar events and I regretted missing the regatta. In my mind, there are few things more beautiful to see on the water than a pack of K boats sailing side by side. From the K50’s down to the PC’s…they are all what a boat should look like! June 17th and 18th brought the annual Wooden Yacht Festival sponsored by the Koehler Kraft yard.
The weather was perfect for the show, with somewhere near 40 vessels on display in the water and on land. The club was well represented (as usual) with Jack Sutphen’s ALOHA taking top honors in her class and others such as Rick Tubman’s ALERT and Tom Jackson’s “SCAMP” AND PC PUFF open to visitors. Several other club boats were there to the delight of the spectators. Those of you who have not attended one of the past Wooden Yacht Festivals should make it a point of doing so next year. The show offers family events such as building dories together, seminars on painting, varnishing, wooden boat repair/restoration, sail making/repair and several other interesting and useful skills taught by experts.
I was acting as “MC” for the event and Jack Stuphen came to me with a complete surprise. He handed me a beautiful mahogany oval wall plaque with the PC logo and SDYC burgee crossed on staves. This “unofficial” award was, as Jack explained it, a “thanks and acknowledgement” from the PC fleet for the few things I have done over the last few years. I sure was surprised and appreciative of this kind gesture from all of you involved. Special thanks to Jack and Ron Render for the thought, and for going through the trouble of making this beautiful piece.
Another terrific PC event was our PC Social held on June 22nd. Doug Giddings, as guest speaker, spoke about his sailing experiences over the years. I was especially pleased to see that so many of his contemporaries were present to join in the conversation and fun. Save for a few skirmishes between the speaker and the audience (specifically, regarding the “facts” as to who’s fault it was during “that race” 40 years …or so, ago), everyone in the crowd had a great evening. Doug did a great job and it was also terrific hearing stories from all the other past PC sailors. Special thanks to Jack Bone, Wally Springstead, Mort Carlyle, Scofield Bonnet and Paul Kettenburg for, not just being present, but for bringing photos and sharing terrific stories. I already have promises from several people to volunteer as speakers when we do this again. Almost everyone present commented as to how much they enjoyed the evening and I can promise you that I sure did!!
The 2000 PC Nationals will be held July 29th and 30th. We are told that two boats will come down from the LA area and hope that the regatta is well attended. Last year’s winner, Jack Sutphen, will be racing in his new boat this year and we expect the competition to be keen. A dinner will be held on the
evening of the 29th with an awards ceremony held Sunday afternoon after all boats are in. I can’t imagine that there would be any protest hearings, as we are a “Gentle Persons” fleet and much too refined to engage in discourse, disagreement or such unpleasantries.
Until next month, Taa Taa!
Rish Pavelec
PC #63