Activities and Meetings

Safety Harbor Boat Club

www.safetyharborboatclub.com

September 2009

Safety Harbor Bikini Cup Woman's Sailboat Race
2^nd Annual race is April 17, 2010

Note the change in the meeting location... Library.

February tides again favor the shallow draft boats as they vary throughout the month, with the wide Winter swings showing somewhat less. The next three months are good for the deeper drafts every other weekend beginning Feburary 20th, with tides being +1.0 or better. The in-between weekends easily offer a half day of sailing or better. Always check the tide charts and be careful if you plan to be out for a while.

Hurricane Preparedness: The 2009 season has officially ended on stroke of good luck, but is it really past time to make your preparations for your boat? The Spring winds can be fairly brutal in their own right. The very first thing to check is your dock lines. Most articles about hurricane damage list line chafe as the #1 contributor for damage. If you have any question about the line size required, you can visit the West Marine Advisor page for this information. Generally, they recommend 1/8" line diameter for every 9' of boat length. Then you double (or more) the lines for the big blow, or check this Boat US page for upsized ropes.

Any weekend would also be a good time to schedule your 2010 Free Vessel Safety Inspection - Contact Chris for an appointment cavgarill@juno.com, or Frank can do the Safety Checks with a phone call. Be sure to get your new 2010 sticker. Are your flares are current and lights are working? Need a printable copy of the Inspection Checklist?

NEW !!! Very localized weather forecast centered on Upper Tampa Bay (N28.0093, W82.6963)

Coast Guard Auxillary and Power Squadron
Boating classes

February 6, 2010 Saturday	Saturday Racing Series - Official Start time - 2:00 PM**. (tides If the weather does not permit, don't be surprised if it becomes a Sunday race instead.
February 20, 2010 Saturday	Saturday Racing Series - Official Start time - 2:00 PM. (tides Race followed by the 1st Annual SHBC Chili Cook-Off. Chili Cook-Off Rules:** · Chili Cook-off starts at approx. 5 pm at the docks. Bring your best batch of chili to compete for bragging rights to the Best Chili In The Club! · Unlike some chili cook-offs, beans are OK and may be included (Beano optional). · Your chili entry should contain at least one to two quarts and should be cooked ahead of time and brought "ready-to-eat". · Contestants are responsible for supplying their own utensils & products relating to their chili submission and maintenance of it's proper temperature for serving. Bowls and spoons for use in serving chili to attendees will be provided by The Club. · Entries will be assigned a number and voting will be by that number in order to keep the Chef's identity unknown. · Judging will be by everyone in attendance so all attendees will vote for their favorite chili. A score sheet will given to each attendee for a $1 dollar [Club] donation. Scores will be tallied at the end of the voting and 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place awards will be handed out.
February 27, 2010 Saturday	Saturday Racing Series - Official Start time - 6:00 PM. (tides Full Moon Race Tide Info: @ 5 pm +1.49; @ 6 pm +1.24; @ 9 pm +0.67; @ 11 pm +1.26. Moonrise: 5:40 pm, Sunset: 6:29 pm. Full Moon = The one that circles the Earth. Cancelled** Due to lack of Flroida-like weather.
March 3, 2010 Wednesday	Monthly club meeting at the Safety Harbor Library, 6:30 pm. The Safety Harbor Boat Club will host a racing tactics seminar. The subject is "VMG's" also known as "Velocity Made Good." This is helpful in navigating the best course to the mark and deciding when to tack. The seminar will be led by Steve Doherty, a long time member of the Boat Club. All Bikini Cup racers are encouraged to attend.
March 6, 2010 Saturday	Saturday Racing Series - Official Start time - 2:00 PM**. (tides The weather may not permit; cold and strong winds are predicted. Be sure to check on your docklines and be glad you don't live in the New England area...
March 13, 2010 Saturday	St. Patrick's Day Race & Dock Party - Official Start time - 2:00 PM. (tides It is Corned Beef and Cabbage time again! Bring a favorite dish to share. Race at 2:00 PM, dinner about 5:00 PM.
April 7, 2010 Wednesday	Monthly club meeting at the Safety Harbor Library, 6:30 pm.
April 24, 2010 Saturday	Overniter to Little Harbor - Official departure time - 9:00 AM**. (tides An overnite trip is planned to Antigua Cove Marina, Bahia Beach, Ruskin, FL. The docking fees are $1.50 per foot, 30-foot ($45.00) minimum. This is a full-service marina, and they even have a hotel if you do not want to sleep on the boat. Visit their website or read this write up about the new changes.

Notice:

The Annual Spring Cruise is being planned.Let us know if you want to turn to Port or Starboard at the Skyway Bridge. Have a preferred destination in mind? Let the Club Officers know!

On the future Calendar:
St. Patty Race and Dock Party - March 13th.
Raft-Up - March 20th
Over Nighter at Little Harbor - Possibly April 24th.
Spring Cruise - Early May?

Wednesday Night Racing Series has ended for the season.

Public is invited to participate as crew during
Safety Harbor Boat Club races when openings
on boats are available.

** Saturday Racing Series races are not regularly scheduled. Boat owners may or may not show up depending on personal schedules. Please watch your e-mail for confirmation of an "official" race.

Our next monthly meeting will be March 3, 2010 at the Safety Harbor Library. We meet regularly on the first Wednesday of each month.

As further events are added or changed for February or March's schedule, members will be updated by e-mail.

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