Club News


October 2002 Mainsheet PC News

By | October 01, 2002

Where do I begin? The PC Fleet has had a great month, with several boats getting out and enjoying the last of our summer weather. The BIG news is that the August “Around the Coronados” race was attended by 5 boats. We MADE IT! For the first time in about 6? Years, the winds, and seas were kind to us. We had a terrific beat out and reach back! After rounding the north island, some of the boats popped a “chute”, but they quickly came down due to wind direction and course. Jack Sutphen did well and arrived home first. Because both Fleet Captain Dave Grundies and I were lacking crew, Dave invited me to bring my long time pal and sailor Bob Engler, and join him and his friend, John. The four of us had a great time on YANKEE. The best part was the lunch!

Last month during the Nationals, you may remember that I told you that long time PC skipper Scofield Bonnet joined Cissy and me to watch the 70th Nationals. For those of you who don’t know, “Sco” was 16 years old when his Mom and Dad bought DAWN (#16) for him, in the early ‘30s. He sailed her for many years rubbing elbows (and I will guess, rubbing rails and noses!!) with the likes of George Kettenburg, George and Joe Jessop, Doug Giddings, Wally Springstead, Samuel Dauchey, John Washington, Hilyard Brown and all the other greats of the ‘30’s and ‘40’s. Sco’s family also joined us. Grandson Ryan crewed on PUFF. Daughter Carrie, Sco’s son Jim and son-in-law Grant, tagged along in their motorboat JUDY B, taking photos. I have to believe that Sco’s wife, Judy, was also there looking down at us from above, with a smile on her face, since he was at the helm most of the time. Sco’s boat #16 DAWN is now under restoration at Koehler’s and it is my hope that he will be at the helm when she sails again for her first “post restoration” sail! Since the July Nationals, it has been my
pleasure to spend a lot of time with Sco, as well as Wally and Doug, discussing details and deck layout of the PC fleet (to help with the WINGS Restoration project). I can’t tell you how much of a thrill it has been to hear stories from these PC veterans. It is no wonder that our fleet is alive and well and
active with the likes of these sailors leading the way for us! Sco has been more than generous to make copies of his personal photos for our PC archives. Wally and Doug also brought in their notebooks and photo albums to share (DAMN!!! Doesn’t seem fair that guys could win so many awards and trophies!) Fleet members, who happen to bump into any of these three greats, might consider a PC Salute!

You all must know that club member Carl Eichenlaub is well on his way to building a NEW PC from the drawings made available to him via Paul Kettenburg and with the blessings of the PC Class Association. If anyone can do it, Carl can! In that I could not find anyone interested in restoring #25, the decision was made to offer the keel to Carl to use in his new boat. Though it grieves me to see #25 lost to the woodpile, no one expressed an interest in saving her and I simply could not continue to absorb the cost of storage for the vessel. At least she will live on in spirit. I look upon her as being an “organ donor”.

Don’t forget that October 12 is the Wooden Hull Yacht Club sponsored “Termite Regatta” so spray your boats!

Lastly, there is a new PC in town. Hull #44 is available for sale. Anyone interested should call 619-222-2814. You, too, can be the PC Nationals Champion!

Until next month,

Fair winds!

Rish Pavelec
PC #63 PUFF