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Scuttlebutt Fall 2014 Page 1
Scuttlebutt Vol. 27 No. 4
Waterway Radio and Cruising Club ‘Serving Radio Amateurs Afloat Since 1963’
I first want to recognize the hard work and dedication
of all of the volunteers that make the Waterway Radio
and Cruising Club, the Waterway Net, and our three
follow-on Nets (Land Cruisers, Winlink, Computer) so
successful. Well done to all and thanks for all of your
hard work.
In reviewing the year to date there are several events,
both large and small, in which your Waterway Radio
and Cruising Club is playing a part on behalf of the
cruising community. I want to mention only a few.
Earlier this year Rear Commodore Ridge/N3JUY re-
vised our weather reporting format to line up with NO-
AA’s new weather zones. Although there have not
been an overwhelming number of calls for additional
weather, when they have occurred the system has
operated as designed. Additionally, implementation
of our on-line position reporting database late last
year has proven worthwhile. We have had over 700
check-ins to the site since late July of this year. Any-
one can access position reports by call sign or boat
name thru our website at www.waterwayradio.net .
From your Commodore
— Bob Norman, KE4OIL
As I write this the Seven Seas Cruising Association
Gam at Camp Letts on the Rhode River is ongoing
and, for the first time, Ham exams will be given there
and the WRCC is manning a table under the leader-
ship of Bill/WA6CCA, our 2013 Commodore, and
Scott/WA0LSS, the current SSCA President. These
gams just south of Annapolis are always well attend-
ed by cruisers getting ready to migrate south so it
should be a fun and interesting occasion.
Within the SSCA context I had occasion to corre-
spond with one of our own Waterway Club members
of long-standing. Ginny/KA5YLM who joined the
WRCC some forty years ago has been a member of
the SSCA for sixty years having joined that organiza-
tion in June 1955. She has been involved in the Flori-
da anchoring issues from the beginning and she just
received the title of Honorary SSCA Historian. Well
done, Ginny, and our best wishes to you.
Following the mention of Florida’s longstanding an-
choring issues above, you should be aware that this
is once again under active discussion. I want to
thank Ron/N1GYX for volunteering to attend the Flor-
ida Fish and Wildlife Commission workshop on an-
choring restrictions on 3 September in Vero Beach.
He spoke for our Club and was in good company with
many representatives from other cruising organiza-
tions including SSCA. His report appears elsewhere
in this issue. Anchoring controversy in Florida has
been ongoing for a long time and has not been easily
resolvable. Our approach is to get the authorities and
legislators to recognize that cruisers are generally
not the problem and to craft legislation and rules tar-
geting derelict vessels and ‘liveaboard’ vessels to
better regulate them. The term ‘liveaboard’ in Florida
applies to floating structures which may or may not
be capable of propulsion and which are not attached
to a private or commercial pier but are tethered to
the bottom and occupied over many months.
Our WRCC picnic will be held on Sunday the 16th of
November coinciding as usual with the SSCA gam at
Melbourne, Florida. It will follow the catered format
(Continued on page 2)
Page 2
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014
established last year and will be a great opportunity
to meet many WRCC members that you hear on the
air and have never seen. Information on purchasing
tickets and directions to the site are included else-
where in this issue and will also be on our website:
www.waterwayradio.net. You also have an opportuni-
ty to ‘dress’ for the occasion by ordering apparel
such as golf shirts or hats with the WRCC burgee logo
from our store affiliate which can be accessed on-line
via our website.
Nominations officially open on 1 October to fill the
Commodore, Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore
duties in our Club for 2015. Please give this some
thought and forward nominations to Jeanie our Club
Secretary at [email protected] . All that is
required is a statement that you have spoken with
your nominee and he or she will serve if elected.
Nominations will close on the 31st of October. Candi-
dates will have an opportunity to speak at the picnic
and elections will be held thereafter
.As the cruising boats gather in various ports prepar-
ing for the trek south please remember that the Wa-
terway Net exists solely to serve you, member or not.
If there is something you need or would like to see
changed let me know via email at commo-
[email protected] . Keep a close watch on the
weather. This is old hat to the experienced cruiser
but may not be as obvious to those on their first trip.
Our weather section of the Net has been tuned pretty
well and is flexible enough to meet your needs. If you
don’t hear what you want, ask for it. And, fly the Club
burgee. You are guaranteed to meet some interest-
ing people by doing so!
Additional volunteers are always appreciated to fill
the various positions in the Club and on the Nets or
to act as an occasional net substitute. Having a land
station is not a requirement. If you desire to help out,
contact any of the Club officers or those who are cur-
rently participating in Net duties.
Lastly, this has been my final opportunity to make
‘official’ remarks to the WRCC. It has been an honor
and a privilege to serve with so many skilled and ded-
icated professionals on the Net and in the Club as
well as to help serve the general cruising community.
See you on the Net and on the water,
Bob
KE4OIL
Commodore
(Continued from page 1)
Last year’s 50th Anniversary Picnic in Melbourne was
a great hit, with record attendance. This year we are
again providing a catered barbeque dinner with all
the trimmings. The menu includes Pulled Pork, BBQ
Chicken, Buns, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Tea, Lemon-
ade, and a keg of Beer. We would also like to extend
an invitation to attend to anyone who may be inter-
ested in membership in the Waterway Radio and
Cruising Club, sponsor of the Waterway Net. Come
join us for our special celebration.
When: Sunday November 16 at 11:00; lunch will be
served at 12:00. This is the same weekend as the
SSCA Gam.
Where: Wickham Park, Pavilion #4, 2500 Parkway
Drive, Melbourne, FL 32935.
Cost: We are asking for $16.00 per person to cover
expenses. For convenience, this may be paid on the
main page of the WRCC website via PayPal (http://
www.waterwayradio.net/ ). Payment may also be
made by writing a check payable to WRCC. Mail your
check to WRCC, 27 Cheyenne Ct, Palm Coast, FL
32137. Other payment options may be arranged by
contacting the WRCC Secretary.
Very Important: The deadline for all payments is Sat-
urday, November 8. This is necessary to allow order-
ing time for the caterer. We cannot guarantee that
food will be available if not reserved by the deadline.
Please don’t miss this opportunity to register early for
this special event.
Land Cruisers: The RV campground area has been
enlarged and upgraded. Early reservations are en-
couraged. The fee is $23.31 per day with tax and in-
cludes full hookup. Please call 321-255-4307 for
reservations and further information.
Arriving by boat: Transportation will be provided for
WRCC members on boats anchored near the SSCA
Gam site and the Eau Gallie Library on the west side
of the ICW. Contact Ned Buck, W4KS, for pickup at
321-725-1591 or email: [email protected].
Arriving by Car: The pavilion is located at Wickham
Park. Turn East off Wickham Road onto Parkway
(Continued on page 5)
Waterway Annual Melbourne Picnic
— Ron Knaggs, N1GYX
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014 Page 3
My Shaky CW Start
When I say shaky, I mean shaky, literally. I am a new
guy to WRCC just joining in time for last year’s big pic-
nic. Code was a requirement when I got my license in
1995 and I actually made a number of CW contacts
at 5-10 wpm. The challenge that was back then, and
the hobby was put on the shelf while taking care of
aging parents and then setting up a newer boat for
extended cruising.
Now it is 2013 and I decide this is the year to join
WRCC, mind you at the very last minute. We had a
small circle of friends who were very active members.
Skip and Cherylle of The Eleanor M, Tom and Cathy of
Perseverance II, Bob and Pat of Chanticleer, Bob and
Chesley of Cygnet and last but not least our es-
teemed Commodore and Julie, of Quest. We find our-
selves heading down the coast and arrive in Vero
Beach just before the big 50th Anniversary Picnic and
just after the sign up date. I asked Bob N1ILF if there
was a chance to still sign up. Bob asked Jeanie
N4WFN, the miracle worker and we were in.
While at the picnic we met Tom K4WJC and he was
selling a little outbacker antenna. This seemed the
perfect solution to getting my Ham rig operating from
the good ship Anania. Having spent some time on
the WRCC web site I was aware of the CW group.
Wouldn’t it be nice to try to regain some of that code I
had learned almost 20 years ago? I now had a goal
and started to turn on the radio at 0615, tuned to
7047 KHz each morning to listen for the early birds.
Boy did the dits and dahs go flying by! The web site
said 18-27WPM but it sure seemed a lot faster. After
listening each day to both the net and W1AW code
practice, things started to slow down a little. I was
able to copy Bob KA3OCS one morning and he report-
ed being in Vero Beach-- same place we were. I
looked up his boat info in the roster I was given at the
picnic and started to look for him in the anchorage.
This would be great, someone I could ask a few pro-
cedural questions about getting on the CW net. Well I
looked and looked but could not find a Bristol 29.9
called Ace of Diamonds in the mooring field. There
went my attempt to find a mentor. Much later I found
out Bob had gotten a new boat the Bonnie K. I proba-
bly dinghied right by it. Now I guess I’m on my own so
I set a goal to check in by the end of the year, a
month and a half away. That was goal, but listening
to those dits and dahs fly by in a blur… was this real-
istic??
Lots of time was devoted to practice. Each day, start-
ing with my practice sending as a side tone, not on
the air, I would send the full alphabet and numbers
forward and backward twice. Then with paper and
pen I would try to copy the net, beginning at 0700.
Each day I would try to find time for W1AW code prac-
tice.
As I was practicing and seeing the end of the year
fast approaching, I started to worry. What if I give
them my call sign for the list and missed hearing it
when it was my turn to send my report? How could
you miss your own call sign? Not too hard consider-
ing my call sign N2ST. It is easy to send, not too
many dits and dahs but there is a “but.” During my
listening, knowing the end of the year was fast ap-
proaching, I started to notice a very high use of the
letters ST. Every morning there were a few CW mem-
bers who called in short time. Well guess what! In
code the abbreviation for “short time” is /ST. I would
hear the ST and jump. Are they calling on me? May-
be not, but then someone reports the weather as
overcaST. Another ST whizzing by. Did I miss my call
again? The Net Control Station asks any more ST or
any more for the liST. And final straw, there is mem-
ber of the CW group, AG4ND, and his name is For-
reST. They are sure making it hard on my nerves.
Add in a few reports about laST night’s rain or a faST
approaching front and my knees are knocking and
the hand is really shaking.
Well, it’s about December 28th and I send out my
first shaky N2ST, and someone actually copied me.
When I did get on the air, I would write down every-
thing I was going to transmit, then practice by send-
ing it as a side tone at least twice, trying to eliminate
my mistakes and improve my spacing. Mistakes are
noted with a few quick dits or e’s sort of like an eras-
er. I sure used up a few erasers, but no one suggest-
ed I was in the wrong place. They politely acknowl-
edged receipt of my report.
Every day the group puts out an email as a summary
of the morning activity. The most important part of
the summary for me was that my code was read.
Generally what I sent, or tried to send, was on the
list. Hooray!
Well, it has been 8 months; my mistakes are fewer (Continued on page 5)
— Tom Stefanic, N2ST
Page 4
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014
There continues to be interest in
“alternative” medical care, from chiro-
practic, thru massage therapy and yo-
ga, to herbal medicines, etc. I just fin-
ished an advanced course in herbal
medicine and I feel the need to share
some of the concepts with you. First
the overview: So called ‘herbal medi-
cine’ has been a part of medical care
for thousands of years and included opium (from
which we get morphine), digitalis (to boost the heart),
penicillin, etc. In fact, in main stream medicine, more
than half of what doctors prescribe even today
comes from plant or fungal sources. Even so those
medical adjuncts you can buy in the health food
store, without a prescription, are titled “alternative
medicines”
My course dealt with nine (9) such herbals, Saw Pal-
metto, St. John’s Wort, Ginko, Ginsing, Eschinacea,
Kava, Garlic, Valarian, and Andrographis. There is not
room here to deal with all of these but I will share
some details about a couple and urge you generally,
if you do take these, or their cousins, to ALWAYS tell
your doctor what you are taking so as to avoid mixed
medicine complications. Your doctor may, or may not
know much about such herbs but should be advised
to consider their mix in your care. This is especially
true if you plan surgery, or a general anesthetic.
One of the risks in taking non-prescription herbs is
the absence of quality control in their preparation.
They are considered “food” items and do not get the
rigorous evaluation that prescription medicines must
pass.. I quote, “In the United States, herbal medica-
tions are considered dietary supplements and are
regulated by the Dietary Supplement Health and Edu-
cation Act (DSHEA) of 1994 [3]. Under this legisla-
tion, some claims, including structure and function,
may be made by the manufacturer without requiring
proof of safety and efficacy needed for conventional
FDA-regulated medications. .. .. .. “ In other words
you are on your own regarding potency and safety
when you take herbals. The bottles may have no
drug at all or up to 100 times the labeled potency.
Let’s look at a few starting with St. John’s Wort. It is
an antidepressant, and has about half the potency of
antidepressants prescribed by doctors. It is so well
accepted that it qualifies as a prescription medicine
in Germany. Watch out! If you take it along with a
main line prescribed antidepressant you will likely be
overdosed. Inform you doctor.
Let’s look ay Ginko biloba. It may well be beneficial in
early age-related memory loss. Some have found
Ginko helpful to suppress dizziness and/or vertigo.
Only 2-3 % of users develop side effects from Ginko,
but those who do may develop skin rashes, head-
ache, diarrhea or even convulsions.
Now let’s look at Saw Palmetto. This has been exten-
sively studied and is found to be effective in helping
older men afflicted by slowing of the urinary stream
due to BPH (enlarged prostate). The dose has been
worked out and if you need this discuss the details
with your doctor. Yet, even here, if you take anticoag-
ulants like warfarin (Coumadin) you can throw the
dosage off since herbs have an effect on blood coag-
ulation.
Let’s take one more, Eschinacea. Some take it for
management of the common cold, and related respir-
atory infections. It was already in use by Native Amer-
icans when the first Europeans arrived here. Echina-
cea is a widely sold herbal medicine in the United
States and is the third most popular natural product
overall (surpassed only by fish oil and glucosamine)
According to the course I took the Eschinanea dose
is: “For treatment of cold symptoms and upper res-
piratory infections, an initial 300–1000 mg titrated
dose of powdered herb in capsules or its equivalent
(tincture or juice) is administered for 5 to 7 days. Use
for more than 8 weeks at a time should be avoided
because of the potential for immunosuppression .
Preparations containing 15% pressed herb are used
topically as disinfectants.” It should not be given to
folks who are allergic to ragweed and related plants
like daisies. When given to children a small percent-
age get skin rashes. Overall, from my experience and
my recent study herbals in medicine do have a role
to play, according to your personal choice, as long as
you become informed about the risks vs. the bene-
fits, and as long as you inform your doctor (esp. sur-
geons, and anesthesiologists ) what you take are
taking and why.
73 de Jim Hirschman, K4TCV
[3] http://www.netce.com/coursecontent.php?
courseid=942&works=true#bibl.workscited.3
Comments from the
Sick Bay — Jim Hirschman, MD,
Fleet Surgeon, K4TCV
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014 Page 5
PICNIC and VOTING It is that time again. Time to ask
your friends if they would like to
run for one of the positions that
govern this fine WRCC organiza-
tion. The jobs are not difficult.
The Commodore is in charge of the
Waterway Net (we like to call him or her the “Net
Manager”) and generally keeping everyone in line, as
well as keeping track of the daily volunteers for Net
Control, relays, weather, and Fleet Captain assign-
ments. The Vice and Rear Commodores are there for
backup should the Commodore not be available to
monitor the Net. They also help the Commodore in
making decisions that affect the rest of us. Occa-
sionally either the Vice or Rear Commodore will be
assigned as the Weather Coordinator, or Fleet Cap-
tain, but those positions are at the discretion of the
Commodore and are often assigned to other volun-
teers. Probably the biggest responsibility is to BE
THERE when the Commodore cannot. So, see. They
are not hard jobs. If you want to nominate someone
for any of these three offices, please just make sure
that person is willing to run before you submit their
name (you can even nominate yourself, which elimi-
nates the ‘willing to run’ issue). Nominations are
open the month of October, and I will be sending out
the Bill and Ballot on or about November 1 where
you can vote and pay your dues. The winners will be
announced on December 1.
Our Annual WRCC picnic is on November 16 at Wick-
ham Park in Melbourne, and we will be catering it
again like we did last year. That being said, I will
need your RSVP no later than November 8 so we can
have an accurate head count. Prepayment will be
available via PayPal, or when you send in your dues.
The picnic will cost $16 per person. If you want to
use a credit card and do not want to use PayPal, just
call me. We now have the mobile app called PayPal
Here which will let me input a CC for payment. Just
like PayPal, there is a fee, so checks are cheaper. If
you are a ‘maybe’ for the picnic, please let us know
that.
And, last but not least, let me welcome aboard our
new members: Bob Masterson, KK4THG from St.
Secretary/Treasurer’s
Report — Jeanie Schreiber, N4WFM
Augustine, and Judy & Bill Chappell, KC3CXI, current-
ly cruising and joined while in New Bern NC.
Hope to see everyone at the picnic.
Jeanie, N4WFM
and I am able to copy more of each station’s report.
On a final note if you would like to hear the music of
CW give the group a try: 0700 am Eastern Time on
7047 KHz. The members have been very patient
with me and I am sure you will receive a warm wel-
come. I am looking forward to this year’s picnic so I
can put a few faces with their “fists”.
73, N2ST
(Continued from page 3)
Drive, and left into Wickham Park. Turn right after
entering Wickham Park and follow the road around
until you reach Pavilion #4, also called the Sam
Fuller Jr. Pavilion. This is also the site of our picnics
for the past several years.
Driving Directions to Wickham Park Picnic
From I-95 South Bound: Take Wickham Road, Exit
191. Turn left on Wickham Road East (Rte 509) for
about 8 miles. Turn left onto Parkway Drive at the
next traffic light after passing Brevard Community
College. Turn left into the entrance of Wickham
Park, then turn right after entering the park and fol-
low the road until you reach Pavilion #4.
From I-95 North Bound: Take second Melbourne
exit, Exit 183, Eau Gallie Blvd. (Rte 518). At the third
traffic light turn north (left) onto Wickham Road.
Turn right at the traffic light on Parkway Drive. Turn
left into the entrance of Wickham Park, then turn
right after entering the park and follow the road until
you reach Pavilion #4.
Motels
Near I-95 Exit 180 on US Highway 192:
Holiday Inn Express, 321-724-2050 Hampton Inn,
321-956-6200 Days Inn, 321-724-2051
America’s Best Value Inn, 321-768-8439
Near I-95 Exit 191 on Wickham Road (Viera):
Holiday Inn, 321-255-0077 La Quinta Inn, 321-
242-9400 Hampton Inn, 321-255-6868
(Continued from page 2)
Picnic
Page 6
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014
Roster Updates
Roster Updates since Summer SB KN4MX (A) Passages Capo, John Tayana V42 aft cockpit cutter Cupstid, Gina 411 Walnut St # 8439 C:(954) 494-8780 Green Cove Spgs FL [email protected] 32043-3443 [email protected] ~~~ - - - ~~~ N4SZV (E) Shenandoah Nossaman, Doug Southern Cross 35 2333 20th St. NW C:(202) 841-1022 Washington DC [email protected] 20009-1411 ~~~ - - - ~~~
New or Changed E-Mail Addresses
C6 AGG [email protected] KF4 BY [email protected] K3 ORC [email protected]
Additional Call Signs Since Summer SB
KC3 CXI G Judy Chappell KK4 THG G Bob Masterson
New Members Since Summer SB
KC3CXI (G) Charbonneau Chappell, Judy & Bill Island Packet 40 513 Highland Ave (570) 401-6251 Clarks Summit PA [email protected] 18411-2527 ___________________________________
KK4THG (G) Lucky Lady Masterson, Robert P. Shamrock 22 Walkaround 3304 Kings Road South (949) 637-1587 St. Augustine FL [email protected] 32086-5423 ___________________________________
***** ***** ***** *****
Nominations for WRCC Officers
The nominations for all three WRCC Officers for 2015 will open on Octo-
ber 1 and close on October 31. Voting will be the month of November.
Please submit your nominations to WRCC Secretary Jeanie Schreiber at
[email protected]. We are looking for nominees for Commo-
dore, Vice Commodore, and Rear Commodore. And, make sure your
nominee is willing to serve if elected (no blindsides J).
***** ***** ***** *****
WRCC volunteers working at the Sevens Seas Cruising Association
GAM at Camp Letts, Edgewater, MD (Annapolis). Two portable sta-
tions were operating. There were three antennas, an inverted V, verti-
cal dipole, and a Ham stick. Pictures compliments of Annette Baker,
KK4YVJ.
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014 Page 7
Some web sites for help in determining what is going
on around the waterways this season:
Salty Southeast Cruisers Net cruisersnet.net
Waterway Guide waterwayguide.com
Active Captain activecaptain.com
Around the Waterways
Down East Gam Report
— Dick de Grasse, K1AMV
The 24th annual Seven Seas Cruising Association
Down East Gam was held on August1, 2, and 3,
2014, at Dick and Kathy de Grasse’s (s/v ENDEAV-
OUR) cottage on Gilkey’s Harbor, Islesboro, Maine.
What a Gam! 61 boats anchored in the harbor and
147 sailors attended. It sprinkled in the morning but,
as usual, it cleared up in time for an outstanding pot-
luck lunch. There was a delightful mix of sailors from
all over the world: Seven Seas Cruising Association,
Ocean Cruising Club, Waterway Radio and Cruising
Club plus lots of new attendees. There were more
than six circumnavigators and about half the sailors
on the lawn had sailed at least one ocean in their
own boats. It’s easy to feel humble among such great
sailors. The host boat I WANDA, sailed by Mary and
Christian Verlaque, had 41 dinghies tied behind them
during the Friday afternoon hors d’oeuvres cocktail
party raft-up. After lunch on Saturday everyone enthu-
siastically acknowledged the attendees as Mary Ver-
laque read through the list. Our guest speaker was
Captain Skip Strong, author of “In Peril”. Skip signed
copies of his book and spoke about maneuvering his
688 foot loaded oil tanker off the Bethel shoal in Flor-
ida in order to save a disabled tug and NASA barge.
Currently he is a Penobscot Bay and River Pilot. What
an incredible sailor! Sunday Pam and Denis (s/v
GLIDE) spoke about their July, 2014, sailing trip to
the Artic. Special thanks to all the helpers and espe-
cially to Dick and Suzy Guckel (s/v CERCA TROVA,
Herb and Ruth Weiss (m/v ANCIENT MARINERS) and
Irv Halper, (s/v HANGOUT ), for the pictures. Seven
Seas Cruising Association was represented by Presi-
dent Scott Berg (s/v CHARDONNAY), Treasurer Steve
Kauffmann (s/v CELEBRATION) and Corresponding
Secretary Betty Romberg (s/v BRIGHT AYES). Mark
your calendars: sea God’s willing the 25th annual
Down East Gam will be held Friday and Saturday, July
31 and August 1, 2015.
Respectfully submitted,
Commodore Dick and Kathy de Grasse, Islesboro,
Maine USA
***** ***** *****
SNIFFING OUT RADIO NOISE SOURCES ON A
CRUISING BOAT THEN….SNUFFING IT OUT!
Editor: This article will be in the winter Scuttlebutt. If
you need a PDF copy earlier, please contact Bill Tray-
fors. His e-mail is [email protected].
***** ***** *****
Page 8
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014
Boat U.S. membership with our
group discount
is only $15.00 per year.
Sign up using our
GROUP ID:
Nautical Winter Fun — Stephen (KJ4ZOY) & Beth Deitch
It wasn’t our fault. I need my teeth ‘periodontalized.’
And then I figured the eye doctor and dermatologist
needed their shot at me/us. Our family resources
are mostly mid Atlantic, so we thought it made sense
to stay at CYC in Washington, DC for winter 2013 –
2014. I must say the quality of medical care in this
town is exceptional. And the Capital Yacht Club is a
great place with great people.
The weather was sort of exceptional also. We haven’t
experienced a real winter for more than a few days in
20 years. What a shock! We needed to buy coats.
Our reverse cycle air conditioners/heat pumps
stopped working when the Washington Channel/
Potomac cooled below 42° F. Our cats repaired to
their carrier (equipped with heating pad) rarely to be
seen (except for meals). One Strataglass panel on
our cockpit enclosure cracked when it went below
20° F. Compressor oil solidified in our keel cooler so
that our refrigerator needed a rehab to continue
working. And our potty tank vents periodically iced
up. Before the channel completely froze over, the ice
crunching into the hull made alarming noises. We
were able to secure a used “ice eater” which circu-
lates warmer deeper water up into the hull to make
ourselves a zone of clear water. But when the chan-
nel froze nearly completely, every duck in the area
Ice in the Washington Channel. Some of it is 2”
thick.
It seriously crunched against the hull.
The good news? Capital Yacht Club has a great dock
crew that made provisions for ‘winter water’ and
pump out. And many here (read that Scott and Phil)
had the best advice for survival. And when we
bought more food than we could keep in the refriger-
ator, getting ready for the next and the next snow, it
was no problem. We kept it in the cockpit. Actually
we put some things in an insulated cooler in so they
wouldn’t freeze!
We lived in Kemah, TX (suburban Houston) for 15
years until retiring in 2009. One time, just once, on a
Christmas Eve, Nightingale had 2” of snow on deck.
It lasted about 18 hours. In mid February 2014 WE
HAD A FOOT OF SNOW on the foredeck.
Looking out the dodger window during a brief respite
in the weather. Note the winter savvy folks had their
boats shrink wrapped to keep the heat in and snow
out. With good venting and determination to with-
stand any seasonal affective disorder this looks a
great idea.
(Continued on page 10)
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014 Page 9
Sunshine
Where the WRCC
Meets to Eat
Bahamas, Nassau - Lunch
December-May, every
Thursday, 12:30
Green Parrot Restaurant C6AGG—Carolyn
Bahamas, George Town, - Lunch Weekly Jan-Mar
Details on the Net
FL, Marathon - Lunch Wednesdays @ 11:30
November to May
Lazy Days Restaurant ND7K-Chuck Grey
FL, Melbourne – Lunch
Dragons Lunch 2nd Wednesday 11:30, Pineda Inn, US Rt 1 North of Mel-bourne. Contact W4KS or KN4RB
FL, Pensacola Beach - Lunch
2nd Tues every month — Hemmingway’s on the Beach Contact Chuck Cook—KE4KEA (850) 380-4217
FL, St. Petersburg - Lunch 2nd Sat 1230 MIDTOWN Sundries, 200 1st Av S
Ken Cowan—KC4OSZ
(727) 821-5383
NC, Oriental - Breakfast - Last Sat 0900 @ Village Restaurant -(Repeater 147.210+ tone 151.4)
Listen to the Net for de-
tails: 7.268 MHz at approxi-
mately 0800 ET. Please con-
tact the Editor with any
changes to this list.
The following members or their families received a card or
flowers from the club:
July
None
August
Walter Tedford KD4JOW Silent Key
September
None
Be sure to send any Get Well or Silent Key requests or notices to Debbie at
sunshine @ waterwayradio.net
— Debbie Lerner KD4GRR
A second Public dock has been opened in Oriental, NC. It is located on the
eastern side of the harbor opposite the existing Town Dock. It is on the Ori-
ental Marina side of the harbor.
There are no services available, but is free with a 48 hour time limit. It can
be identified by the wood slats attached to the pilings above the dock sur-
face.
Second Public Dock — Tom Finta, K8TF
Page 10
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014
The SEA CHEST
*FOR SALE*
Place your for sale items here! Last months item sold
in 1 day!
*WANTED*
Siemens M65 or SM46(M65) Solar panel. Needed to
replace a bad panel in a 4 panel array. John Car-
bee, [email protected] 321-728-4019
Editor — Remember, this is free. There are no charg-
es to place your item in the Scuttlebutt newsletter.
The dock crew has a snow blower, and cleared a
path after the 12” snow. You can see the depth.
As winter abated a bit, we were left with only the ici-
cle reminders.
On Sept 3 in Vero Beach I had the privilege to repre-
sent the WRCC at a meeting held by the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Commission to discuss three topics. Re-
cent attempts in the FL legislature to return the right
of local communities to establish local rules and reg-
ulations was discussed by parties on both sides of
the issue. Another problem in FL is derelict boats and
how to deal with them and finally some concern
about heads. Representatives from the City of Miami
Beach, Ft Lauderdale, SSCA, and BoatUS among oth-
ers were allowed three minutes to discuss the is-
sues. There were about 75 in attendance with 30
speaking. The representatives from FL Fish and
Wildlife took notes and ran a well-organized meeting.
Another meeting was scheduled for the next evening
on the West Coast of FL.
Once the notes and comments from those two meet-
ings are summarized, a concept questionnaire will be
released for the public to fill in and return via the in-
ternet.
As for our input, I pointed out that liveaboards should
not be confused with transient cruisers. We agree
that there are sufficient laws to cover heads, and we
also do not like derelict boats in anchorages we use.
However, uniform, well published state wide rules
concerning anchoring are a benefit to our community
as we move around the state. Further, if shore based
communities are to restrict anchoring in certain are-
as that represents a danger to navigation and for
other valid reasons, other than “get that boat out of
my backyard”, then sufficient alternative anchoring
areas should be mandated at the same time as re-
strictions are imposed.
There are several website where you may obtain ad-
ditional information on the subject. A few of those
are:
http://myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring,
http://www.waterwayguide.com/waterway-updates/
news/GEN/4103/Get-ready-for-new-anchoring-
regulations-in-Florida
http://www.waterwayguide.com/waterway-updates/
news/GEN/4185/ALERT-Florida-anchoring-
regulations-meetings-announced?
utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_ca
mpaign=News-and-Navigation-
Blasts&utm_content=ALERT+8-16-2014-final
Anchoring in Florida — Ron Knaggs, N1GYX
(Continued from page 8)
Icicles hanging on hull Icicles from the bimini
(Continued on page 11)
Scuttlebutt Fall 2014 Page 11
Here's a pic of Born Free at the Commodore's dock in Tipers
Creek, flying the WRCC flag. That's Bob and Julie's boat, Quest,
across the dock. Pic was taken during a visit Tuesday, July 29,
2014. We were on an 8-day cruise of the Chesapeake in very fine
weather.
Bill Trayfors—WA6CCA
Here's a close-up of the flags on Born Free
as seen on the photo to the left. The three
flags from the top are:
1. Capital Yacht Club, Washington, DC (my
home port);
2. SSCA; and
3. WRCC.
Survival tools:
Nautical Winter Fun (Continued from page 10)
1 of 2 heaters, dehumidifier removes condensate
It’s now moderating a bit. The water temperature is
up to 37° F at the time of this writing (early March).
So, if the Potomac doesn’t flood with the snow melt
(to add to the indignity!) and the sun comes back it
will all be over. And the high yesterday was already
up to 36° F.
Next year? NEXT YEAR? While sailing plans always
remain subject to change, we fully intend to use lati-
tude to keep us warmer. Read that at least 12 to
15 degrees further south!
We expect to spend the month of April scrubbing,
lubricating and turning Nightingale back into a blue
water cruiser. We have quietly apologized to her for
how dirty she is. And I’d better apologize to the
reader for my whining and complaining. Come on,
Spring! Those cherry blossoms better be gorgeous!
Stephen (KJ4ZOY) and Beth Deitch, Nightingale
Trawler lamp puts out excellent warmth!
Waterway Radio and Cruising
Club
Scuttlebutt is published quarterly to inform membership about Waterway Net news, activities and items of interest. Club Officers and Staff: Commodore: Bob Norman KE4OIL Vice Commodore: Al Miles KG4VIB Rear Commodore: Ridge Gardner N3JUY Sec/Treas: Jeanie Schreiber N4WFM Send Roster Updates & Address Changes to: [email protected] Fleet Capt: Ed Napoleon KC4JKW Safety Officer: Tom Rader K4WJC Scuttlebutt Editor: Art Howard KC0TPG Send articles and pictures to: [email protected] Exam. Coordinator: Ron Knaggs N1GYX Fleet Surgeon: Jim Hirschman K4TCV Sunshine Fund: Debbie Lerner KD4GRR Requests: sunshine @ waterwayradio.net Weather Coord.: Rich Gardner N3JUY Historian: Ron Knags N1GYX Webmaster: Bill Boyle N4UMS Contributions Please send to: Jeanie Schreiber N4WFM Membership Application may be downloaded from the WRCC web-site: www.waterwayradio.net
Inside This Issue Commodore’s Message ............... 1 Waterway Annual Melbourne Picnic2 My Shaky CW Start ................... 2 Comments from the Sick Bay ....... 4 Secretary/Treasures Report ......... 5 Roster Updates......................... 6 Nominations for WRCC Officers .. 6 WRCC Volunteers at SSCA GAM . 6 Down East GAM Report ............. 7 Sniffing Out Radio Noise Sources .. 7 Around the Waterways ............... 7 Nautical Winter Fun .................. 8 Second Public Dock ................... 9 Sunshine ................................. 9 Luncheon Schedule .................... 9 Sea Chest ............................... 10 Anchoring in Florida ................. 10 Born Free Pictures ................... 11
Scuttlebutt Waterway Radio and Cruising Club
27 Cheyenne Ct.
Palm Coast, FL
32137-8966
S/v Samana is now located in the Chesapeake Bay wait-ing for a new jib. The old jib finally gave out after over 10 years of use. It blew out twice and I got out the trusty
Sailrite Ultrafeed® sewing machine and repaired the jib
sail both times. I do not need to fix the old sail a third
time!
For those of you following along on my daily check-in dur-ing position reports you know we have covered a lot of water the last sev-eral months. We really enjoyed our time in the Eastern Caribbean. Now it is nice to be back in the USA. After some boat work at the Indiantown Marina we left for New Smyrna Beach for a short stop and then did an off-shore (where the jib blew out the second time) to New Bern, North Carolina where we spent a month at the dock and explored the area. A special thanks to Ed & Wendy Napoleon (KC4JKW) and Dick & Judy Giddings (W3RDT) for welcoming us to New Bern and taking us around and showing us the area. We really enjoyed the hospitality. New Bern is an interesting place to stop and explore. The twice weekly Farmers Market allowed us to get fresh vegetables. Surface transportation is needed to get to a grocery
store. The historical downtown is well worth a visit.
Thank you all for the submissions to Scuttlebutt. I staged several articles
submitted in September for future issues.
Please share your news, stories, photos, items of interest, comments and suggestions. Send
them to: [email protected] or
73, Art — KC0TPG
Vol. 27 No. 4, Fall 2014