The TILLER - mpyc.orgmpyc.org/images/newsletter/2006-12tiller.pdfDecember 15th at 6:00 pm. ***** …Continued from page 1 Team Road Kill We knew at this time that we would not be able

The TILLER Year 54 ISSUE TWELVE MONTEREY PENNISULA YACHT CLUB DECEMBER 2006

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Team Road Kill Takes Third Thom Smith

On November 4th seven hesitant junior sailors were persuaded to participate in a team race hosted by Sequoia Yacht Club in Redwood City. You were right Norma, we had a blast. It only took two years to convince us to give this race a try. The team did well placing third out of eight boats, not bad for our first team race. As you can tell from our team name, there is more to this story. The team had scheduled to meet at Starbucks in Prunedale for the required coffee and donuts before heading north on the freeway. Unfortunately the boats never made it to Prunedale; in fact, they never made it out of Salinas. Rick Smith, a member to the support team, was given the honor of hauling the three boats to the race. We were on the outskirts of Salinas getting on Highway 101 when we hear what sounded like a crash, right behind our car. When we looked out of our back window, we quickly established that something was wrong with our trailer. The rubber side of the trailer was no longer on the road, oops. For those of you who are more familiar with nautical terms, our trailer had just capsized. It only took a few seconds to discover that trailers do not tow so easily when they are on their side. Due to the fact that we were still in the middle of a highway near an on-ramp, we were forced to drag the trailer farther down the road and out of the way for safety. Thankfully, all the boats were kept within the frame of the trailer and suffered no damage. …Continued on page 2

COMMODORE’S LOG Garth Hobson By the time you read this I will no doubt be your Staff Commodore. I would like to take this opportunity to say how honored I have been to serve you this year. I would also like to use this final log to thank everyone who served on the board and chair positions for their support. In particular I would like to thank Ron Baxter for being our Race Chair for two years in a row. In my opinion, this is the most important job after the Commodore. Thanks Ron for a job well done. I’d also like to thank Jerry Stratton who has been our House/Galley/Bar Chair person for as long as I can remember. Jerry’s support has been evident by the smooth running of the club this year. Finally, a thank you to Jerry Mayo for all his hard work this year, in hosting all our dinners and functions. The great staff, who do a wonderful job, also deserve a thank you. The first half of the year was very interesting and testing to say the least, which may have contributed to my short stent, I mean stint, in the hospital. But two weeks into the Summer Sailing program I knew the rest of the year would go well. So well in fact that I can’t believe my time is over, and I’ve had so much fun lately that I broke my …Continued on page 2

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…Continued from page 1 Commodore leg! Actually I twisted my ankle badly, but don’t worry I’ll be on the dance floor as much a possible at the Ball. Two visits to the emergency room in one year is quite a record! Can you say dubious? Congratulations to the new board members, and I ask you to give them as much support as possible. I would like to congratulate Donna Womble as she follows in her father’s footsteps as our next Commodore. I know she will do a great job. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Don’t forget Santa Claus will visit the Club on Friday evening December 15th at 6:00 pm.

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…Continued from page 1 Team Road Kill We knew at this time that we would not be able to use the trailer to get our boats to Redwood City. After several phone calls, we were able to borrow a few boats from PYSF (Pacific Youth Sailing Foundation). Thank to Eric Anderson for his help arranging the borrowed FJ’s. After helping to remove the boats and right the trailer, the juniors were

EIGHT BELLS

Harvey V. Kilpatrick March 11, 1940 ~ November 10, 2006

The Monterey Bay and west coast sailing communities are saddened by the passing of Harvey Kilpatrick at age 66. Harvey was a fiercely competitive ocean racer for decades but will be remembered for the generations of junior sailors he introduced to the sport. He taught not only sailing skills but also set the highest standard of sportsmanship. He will be sorely missed. At Harvey's request, no services will be held. A Celebration of Life will take place at Chartwell School on Saturday, January 20, 2007 at 2:00 PM. back on the road again, leaving a mess for their parents to clean up. By this time, there were FJ’s and masts scattered along the side of the highway. After a few more hours of trailer swapping and cleanup, the parents were back on their way to the race. The parents arrived mid-regatta to find that the juniors had registered under the name “Team Road Kill” and were sailing well. The conditions for the race were very mild with wind ranging from 5-10 knots and very little current. The racing was close and exciting, with only a three point difference among the top three teams. I am sure the juniors are looking forward to more team racing in the future. Thanks Commodore Garth for arranging to get a new trailer and the parts needed to fix the racks that hold our boats.

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MPYC at the HA-HA Ron Sherwin MPYC’s die-hard sailors, Paul and Nellie Brochinni, sailed their Beneteau First-36.7, Athena, to first place honors in the Frijole Division of the Baja Ha-Ha, 2006. To do this Athena steadfastly had to sail the entire three legs in order to overcome any penalty for motoring in a fleet dominated by larger, and faster, boats. Over beers in Cabo, Athena crew member Tracy Call reported that Athena was well-run, there were no serious mishaps, and the crew was well-fed; no complaints. Well done Paul and Nellie. Also going along on this year’s Ha-Ha were Ron and Leslie Sherwin (Aurora in Monterey, and Jet Lag in MDR). Aboard Richard Spindler’s 63-foot catamaran, Profligate, the Sherwins fastened their seatbelts, and hung on while Profligate, at times, exceeded 20 knots. Blown spinnaker, full moon, t-shirts and shorts, yahoo! **** Athena looking good out of Bahia des Tortugas, on her way to Bahia Santa Maria.

MPYC CALENDAR Every Wednesday Dinner 6:30 Every Thursday Lunch 12:00 Every Friday Dinner 6:30 December Saturday 2nd Perry Cup Saturday 9th Commodore’s Ball Friday 15th Santa Visits MPYC 6:00pm Sunday 17th Lighted Boat Parade Saturday 30th Christmas Race Sunday 31st New Years Eve Party 7:00pm January Saturday 6 Perry Cup -Mercury’s Sunday14th Chowder Series (all) Sunday 28th Chowder Series (all) Note: Some dates may be subject to change. Check at the Club or in next month’s Tiller for updates.

Note from the Editor Jennifer Duncan This is my last issue of The Tiller – Janis Higginbotham will take over January 2007. I want to thank everyone who contributed this year. Your articles and pictures made the Tiller – and made putting it together a treat. I enjoyed working with the Board and all the committed members. What a great group of people we have! Thanks especially to Ray Ward and Kit and John Ruck.

Thanks and Happy New Year.

******** We may have all come on different ships,

but we're in the same boat now. Quote attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Sailing on the Potomac Knox Millsaps A couple of weeks ago a friend from back east, Ray Ratcliffe, emailed me and wanted to know when I’d be out in Washington, D.C. again so he take me sailing on his 42 foot Ketch, named “Ketch Ya Later”. Ray and his wife Toby, along with their two teenage daughters had just returned from a 14-month sailing trip from Maryland to the Mediterranean Sea via Bermuda, the Azores, then to Spain, Italy, and then back to the U.S.A. Ray sent an “e-captain’s logs” to his friend sand family, via radio link, every few days during the trip, so we knew about his adventures … and misadventures! Ray set up the day-sail as a reunion of sorts, by inviting his old boss, Bill Bird, and a couple of us, Robin Imber, and me, who worked together on a Navy project to create better “topsides” for next generation warships back in the late 90s. Our esteemed MPYC Commodore, Garth Hobson, also worked on this project, but due to his hectic schedule at the Monterey Yacht Club, was not able to join us. On a perfect 70 degree Sunday, we day-sailed in southern Maryland where the Potomac River joins the Chesapeake Bay. At least they tell me were sailing. The Ketch does not heal much and the bay was nearly as smooth as glass. Not quite the 6 to 8 foot rollers from Tokyo and the 45 degree heal we experience racing in the Monterey Bay. Incidentally, the Annapolis boat show was that weekend, and I spent several hours the previous day looking at beautiful boats and other toys dockside at the Annapolis Marina. So it was quite the nautical weekend. A big thanks to Ray and his wife, and I look forward to having Ray out West for some cold-water sailing!

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Knox Millsaps and Robin Imber discussing Navy “Topsides”. Membership Update Laurette Cherry Hello - It's time for members to review and update their information for the 2007 Member Cards and 2007 Membership Handbook. If there has been a change of or an addition to name, address, telephone, email or boat, please forward the information to me at [email protected] or if email doesn't work for you, I can be reached at 625-1200. You may also leave the information at the MPYC office for me, Laurette Cherry, Corresponding Secretary. It is necessary to have a deadline of January 5th for a February mailing, but of course, sooner is better. Thank you for helping to keep our records accurate and updated.

******** Spindrift: Spray off the tops of the waves, created by strong wind. It is a variation of the Scottish word spendrift, of the same meaning, and could go back to the Latin spuma, foam.

Origins of Sea Terms, by John G. Rogers, Nimrod Press: Boston MA, 1984

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Midwest Hospitality Mitch Mathews I recently returned from a trip to Milwaukee Wisconsin for some training related to my work. Now, being that it was late October I think Hawaii may have been a better choice for the training but I didn’t have a say in that. Anyway, the training was set up in a hotel in the suburbs of Milwaukee about 15 miles West of Lake Michigan. The hosts were kind enough to shuttle us in from the airport but this unfortunately left us a little stranded when the training was over. The first night I bundled up and wandered around the area surrounding the hotel. I’m not really a mall shopper and for the most part hotel bars are boring so I just went back to my room and cuddled up with Jay Leno. The training wrapped up early the next day and I was determined to see Lake Michigan and what else Milwaukee had to offer. While wandering the streets the night before I found a hotel that had a rental car agency in the lobby. I hot tailed (or cold tailed it in this case) across the street to get me a vehicle. The attendant said he’d be happy to set me up with a car tomorrow but was fresh out today. Oh no! Not another night of Leno. Then he recommended a place down the street. What luck, they had a car, well actually a minivan but I didn’t care I was mobile. The gal at the counter told me to just head east and stop before I hit the water. Sure enough, I ended up right in front of the Milwaukee War Memorial dedicated to those lost from the Air force. This is a beautiful winged structure that leans out shadowing the Lake. I walked along the recreation trail along the Lake, and as any sailor will tell you it feels good to be next to a large body of water if your feeling land locked. And let me tell you that is one large body of water if you’ve never seen it. I was

amazed at the crazy folks jogging in shorts in the frigid air. I watched a couple of sailboats slowly making their way towards shore and began to feel a little melancholy. It was Wednesday evening after all. Then I realized that they were heading my way. I followed their heading to where I now realized was a harbor. As I followed the path I saw hundreds of masts and quickly surmised if there are masts there must be a yacht club. Gleefully, I scanned the shore and alas found the refuge that I was looking for. Camaraderie and cold beer is what I had in mind. I pulled up to the Milwaukee Yacht club in my rented minivan and was impressed by a clean two story well maintained modern looking building. The club looked out over the harbor and had great views of the Lake. Ahhh! The staff was setting up for dinner and it all started feeling very familiar. A couple of members were at the bar and I plopped myself down right next to them. The bartender gave me a suspicious look as I asked for a beer. After I whipped out my MPYC club card (as well as credit card) he softened up a bit and went back to his business. It felt good to be so far from home and surrounded by things that were familiar to me. After sitting awhile, I struck up a conversation with Bud Metzger. You couldn’t imagine a nicer host if you ordered one. He had just returned from Fantasy Fest (or was it Fanny Fest) in Key West Florida. Sounded like a pretty wild time. He was taking a break from sailing his Cheoy Lee and Duck Hunting (I don’t think at the same time but by now it wouldn’t surprise me). He and his buddy Walter (I believe that’s his name) told me about some of the boats and members of the Milwaukee Yacht Club. It was established in 1871 by the way (I picked that piece up from the bar napkin). There’s a …Continued on page 6

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…Continued from page 5 Midwest lot of history in that club with folks like Buddy Melges being a regular and North Sails just down the street. Some other members started to trickle in and I was thanking my lucky stars for that minivan. A fellow named Matt Honl sat down next to me and served as my guide for the next several hours. He was as genuine and kind as anyone I’ve ever met. He introduced me to the other members as they came in. I tell you these guys are into their cars as much as their boats. Bud pointed out to a 69 Camaro in the driveway. ‘That things got 1000 horsepower”. By looking at the slicks that went from one side of the car to the other and noticing the wheelie bars I figured he wasn’t kidding. He said this almost forgetting to point out his brand new BMW sitting right in front of it. Another member, Joe Moller, sits down and Bud teases him that he’d never be able to fit in his Porsche and Joe tells him it’s even tighter in his Jag. Meanwhile, I’m not mentioning the minivan. They begin telling me about the guy who owns the Camaro and about the bunch of different boats he’s had. About that time he walked in and he turned out to be quite a character. This fellow, John Kuber has had a long time passion for speed and power. He raced drag boats with 2400 + horse power for years. Finding them a little risky, after watching several of his competitors disintegrate right in front of him, he went to something a little safer – alcohol fuel rail dragsters. I mean what else are you going to do with those engines. About now Joe points out the lake trout boiling in the harbor. I looked out and right in front of us were 5-7 pound trout, they looked like salmon. Meanwhile, John is telling me that he’s slowed down a bit a racing sailboats, IOR, and some other hotrods I can’t remember, thanks for drink Bud. Apparently he’s gone through a few big trawlers too. He just picked up an old

137 ft Navy boat that he’s refurbishing in NY. This thing holds 25,000 gallons of fuel and has a range of 18,000 miles. I’m just shaking my head by now. He was getting prepared with Captain Pat to take the boat he just sold, Intrinsic, a 85 ft Broward down the Mississippi over to Florida. Bud tells me more about Lake racing and some of the famous races like the Queens Race and the grueling Chicago to Mackinaw a 350 mile race that draws some of the top racers from around the country. Then Pat starts telling me about Iceboat racing. I swear the cold must really do damage to the brains up there because they take these little bitty frames strap on some skates and as much sail as they can manage then head out on the lake. John tells me they clocked one last year at 142 mph. Pat tells me the wind just keeps going forward. Oh, you don’t really want to hit anything and it gets really difficult to see. The trick is actually getting those things to stop. Another member, Matt Summinski, joins us and is immediately ribbed for being over dressed. He has a knowing smile that he expects that kind of greeting when he walks in there (sound familiar). I hear more stories about winter “activities” and the 300 hp snowmobile (guess whose) and have a chicken parmesan that would rival any I’ve ever had in San Francisco when I realize I still need to get back to my hotel. I thank my hosts and extend an invitation to come to Monterey. I then promise to write about these guys, so here you go boys, then head out. I’m flying back thinking about how much I enjoyed the stories and good company in Milwaukee when the plane banks in over Monterey Bay. The sun is gleaming on the ocean and I see H mark over the port wing. The pilot says it’s 72 degrees with 5-7 breeze out of the Northeast and a smile comes to my face. I enjoyed Milwaukee but am I ever glad to be home. *******

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Former Commodores Regatta Garth Hobson

You can rest assured that our former Commodores are pretty adept at coaxing a sailboat around a race course. But I am getting ahead of myself. This idea started more than a year ago, when I thought I had to do something that involved our former Commodores. I think it was Dave Potter who told me that it is expected from the current Commodore. Don Hoover hosted the Former Commodores Ball, so I had to come up with something different. At our Shields fleet meeting early in the year I asked the fleet if I could borrow their boats around the time of the Kelp Cup. So more than a month ago, invitations were sent to all our former Commodores to sail in a regatta especially for them. I received twelve positive replies, but was not sure who would show up on the day, Saturday November 17th. Ten intrepid sailors showed up at the skippers meeting to partake in the day’s events on the water. First they had to draw crews, one boat would have four crew and the other two boats would have only three crew. The courses, or course, was a windward-pin-windward-finish all with starboard roundings, which made for interesting spinnaker sets. I also threw in the added twist that skippers had to rotate within their boat after each race. Finally each team got to draw their boat and the line up was complete. Team Stillwater: Courtney Hanson, Art Sutton, Ray Ward and Bob Furney Team Carol: Dave Morris, Charlie Kurtmen and Niels Andrews Team Yankee: Dick Clark, Greg Cailliet and Doug Johnstone

Niels Andrews, Charlie Kurtmen, and Dave Morris. The start of the first race had Dick winning the pin-end of the line and pulling away from Charlie who was trying to drive over him. Team Yankee was the first to round the windward mark and promptly proceeded to set their spinnaker sideways and partially in the water as a bear-away set. Greg explained to me that spinnakers catch the wind better when they are wet – the chute was still wet at the leeward mark. Courtney was around in second followed by Charlie, both doing jibe spinnaker sets. Carol rolled over Stillwater downwind and just had a slim lead at the leeward mark. It looked like Stillwater would get inside Carol after rounding the leeward mark, but promptly came to a stop during an indecisive tack. Yankee won the first race by quite a margin followed by Carol and Stillwater. Continued on page 8 Doug Johnstone and Greg Cailliet.

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…Continued from page 7 Commodores The pre-start of the second race saw a fired up Dave Morris yelling at Greg Cailliet to come up as he had a leeward overlap. Dave later maintained that he could have hit Greg’s boat which he thankfully did not do. Greg maintained that he broke the overlap. Stillwater, with Ray at the helm, immediately tacked away after the start looking for wind on the right side of the course. Yankee and Carol both did bear-away spinnaker sets and Yankee immediately jibbed away for clear air. Stillwater performed a perfect jibe set. The second time around Yankee did a much slower spinnaker set, I guess to make sure it stayed dry. The finishes were much closer this time, with Yankee eeking out her second win of the day once again followed by Carol and Stillwater. Niels won the start of the third race by hitting the line with speed halfway between the committee boat and the pin. Doug was trying hard to not hit the pin and had to pinch up to make the start. Art started at the boat end also with speed. There was a lot of short tacking up the shore to get to the windward mark, which had been moved further to extend the course. Carol first lee bowed Stillwater, then ducked them on route to the mark. Carol finished first in fine fashion with Dave whooping it up. Stillwater took a flyer out to the left side of the course on the last downwind leg ahead of Yankee. They then wrapped the spinnaker around the headstay during their jibe. We thought that Carol may sneak in ahead of them, but they were able to recover and take second. Bob Furney did not get to drive, but he did a great job as a crew. Hopefully they all enjoyed the South African wine they received for participating. Judging by the comments and smiles on everyone’s faces, they all had a great time. The festivities continued with dinner at the

club after the racing. Former commodores Chip and Joan Wood, Judy Clark and Debbie Morris who could not sail came for dinner afterwards. I enjoyed hosting this event and thanks to John Ruck and Mike Dolbec who helped with race committee.

******** Racing Ron Baxter Courtney Hanson, Garth Hobson, Bob Furney, and Ray Ward. Ray and Courtney. Garth, Greg, Dick Clark, and Doug.

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Racing Ron Baxter With the exception of the Crew’s Revenge the 2006 MPYC racing season is officially over. Thanks to all who participated in what was a great year of very close and competitive racing in all fleets. In retrospect the year went fairly smoothly with only a few snafus and only a handful of protests that were dealt with quickly and in a professional manner. Thanks again to all the racers who made sure that the camaraderie and spirited competition resulted in a great racing season. With the last of the series races behind us and winter closing in, It’s time to review the campaigns, take a long deserved rest, and start thinking about next years racing! But before we draw the curtain on the sailing season November was an important month for MPYC racing with the last of the Fall PHRF series, the Last of the Fall One Design series, the Champion of Champions Kelp Cup, the Fiasco Race, Luke’s Regatta as well as the 2007 race committee meeting. All in all it was a busy end to an excellent racing season here at MPYC. The last of the 2006 PHRF races, Fall 5 and 6, were not as well attended as previous races with only 13 boats sailing in 3 fleets. In spite of the light turn out the competition was fierce as boats vied for the final chance to win not only the Fall Series but also the Season Championship. In the A-Fleet it was Sea Saw in a surprise appearance who dominated the course with two bullets in her first weekend racing for the 2006 season. Following Sea Saw it was Locomotion and Bustin Loose trading second and third place finishes to round out the fleet giving Locomotion her first A-Fleet series victory. Congratulations Mark and Heidi, what a great first year for this valuable addition to the A-Fleet! In spite of picking up 5 points for the day, Bustin Loose was, hands down, the season Champion in the A-Fleet trouncing her competition by a whopping 9

points over second place Athena! Congratulations Jeff for running another successful campaign. Now if we can just get Tim Cordrey, who, by the way, won every race he raced at MPYC this year, out next year to give the fast boats some heat we will really see some exciting A-Fleet action! In B-Fleet it was Pretender who finished first in both races sealing her bid for a first place finish in the Fall series, unfortunately for Pretender, however, her spectacular final weekend was not enough to catch season points leaders Heart of Gold and Carnaval who entered the last two races separated by only 2 points! With so few points separating Heart of Gold and Carnaval it was anyone’s game with everything riding on the final weekend’s results. In the first race it was Heart of Gold who finished second followed by Carnaval in third adding another point to her season lead. This meant Carnaval’s only chance was not only to win her last race of the season but to have all the other B-Fleet boats beat Heart of Gold as well. As fate would have it, it was not to be. Although Carnaval sailed well she only managed to capture second place with Heart of Gold finishing third. Congratulations to Pretender and Heart of Gold for their respective victories. In the C-Fleet the results were even closer in the race for the season Championship title with Krash leading Santy Anno by just 1 point. In spite of Santy Anno’s second place finish in the first race, it was Krash with two bullets who captured the Championship title putting three more points on Santy Anno to finish with a four point lead. For the Fall series, however, it was a completely different matter with Mizzen holding a slight 1 point lead over Bebop followed by Santy Anno in third, 2 points out of the lead, going into the weekend. When all was said and done it was Mizzen with 6 points for the day holding onto her first place position …Continued on page 10

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…continued from page 9 Racing followed by Bebop in second in her first weekend PHRF series of the year! Well done Bebop and we all hope to see you out next year with similar success! Not to be out done the final One Design weekend was equally as dramatic as 13 boats in three fleets battling to win both the Fall series and the Season Championship. In the J-22 Fleet it was Toucan way out in front with a Five point lead over Travieso in both the Fall Series and the Season Championship. With only 4 J-22s racing it would have been very difficult for Travieso to threaten Toucan in her bid for both series titles and in the end it was Toucan who rained supreme winning the Fall Series by four points and the Season Championship by five points. For the day, however, it was Fleeboflam and Trinity who had the best performance each finishing with one first and one second place finish for 3 points total. With only three additional points Fleeboflam was able to wrestle second place for the Fall Series from Travieso by one point. Not bad for a new comer, well done Alan! In the Shields it was a pitched battle between Stillwater and October as they vied for both the Fall Series title, a victory in Luke’s Regatta and the overall Season Championship! Going into the weekend October held a two point lead for the Fall Series while the overall Season Championship favored Stillwater by three points. In the first race it was October moving one point closer with a first place finish followed by Stillwater in second. October’s luck, however, was not to hold and she fell to both Stillwater in first and Carol in second in the second race sealing the Season Championship for Stillwater with a three point cushion. In spite of her four point total in the first two races October was able to maintain her lead for the Fall Series finishing first with Stillwater finishing second. With one race left to decide the

victor in Luke’s Regatta it was all down to the last race, winner take all, with Stillwater leading October by only one point. Stillwater proved up to the challenge winning the third race and capturing first place Luke’s Regatta followed by October in second. Congratulations to both Stillwater and October for their spectacular performance under pressure with so much riding on one set of weekend races. In the Santa 22 Fleet it was a similar situation with Leprechaun leading in the Season Championship race by one point over Krash. For the series, however, it was Krash leading Cnidarian and Leprechaun by one point each going into the last two races of the year. In the first race it was Cnidarian in first place followed by Krash in second and Santy Anno in third with Leprechaun finishing a disappointing fifth place. With these results it was another winner take all race with the Cnidarian and Krash tied for first place in the fall series. For the Season Championship it was Krash in the lead now by two points at the start of the second and final race. With unbelievable cool and resolve Leprechaun rose to the occasion and sailed to victory in the last race followed by Santy Anno in second, Krash in third and Cnidarian in fourth. When the points were tallied it was Krash winning the Fall series by one point over Cnidarian followed by Leprechaun in third. For the Season Championship it was another matter with Krash and Leprechaun tied on points after 18 series races! Now that’s close racing! Unfortunately for Krash, Leprechaun won the tie breaker and rained victorious as the Championship boat. Drat that Charlie! But seriously, well sailed, fantastic racing throughout the season, and just wait until next year you dog! Another race of not this November was the Kelp cup. This year, much like last year, the Kelp Cup was sailed as an invitational …continued on page 11

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…Continued from page 10 Racing Champion of Champions race with skippers and crew from the leading boats in all fleets invited to race in a Shields one design regatta. This year the roster included heavy weights Larry Gamble from Bustin Loose, Dick Clark from Heart of Gold, Commodore Garth Hobson from Stillwater, and myself from Krash. Vice Commodore Donna Womble declined the invitation to race in order to help with race committee duties for the regatta, thanks Donna! When the two day regatta was over it was Larry Gamble and his rock star crew who just squeezed out Dick Clark for a first place finish. Congratulations Larry that’s not an easy feat given the caliber of the competition. Other racing news came in the form of the annual Race Committee meeting for the 2007-racing season. During the meeting a number of topics were discussed including a new online scoring system, potential changes to the PHRF rating here in the Bay, and the usual modifications to the proposed race schedule for 2007. As you probably know this is my second and last year as Race Chair at MPYC. Thanks to Bob Furney and Meryle Sachs for taking over the race chair duties for 2007. In spite of all of the inevitable obstacles and the seemingly continuous demands, I must say that the good always has outweighed the bad and I have thoroughly enjoyed my post as Race Chair. I would also like to thank all the MPYC races and crew for two great sailing seasons, keep up the good work and give yourselves a hand! Well, unless you sail the Perry Cup that’s it for the 2006 sailing season here at MPYC. Thanks again and remember have fun, be safe and I’ll see you at the Commodore’s Ball.

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6th Almost Annual New Year’s Eve Party

Co-hosted by Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club

and Monterey Ski and Social Club When: 7 pm through midnight, December 31 Where: Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club What: Hors d’oeuvres, Dinner Buffet 7-10 pm, Desserts, Music and Dancing with Dan Thacker and the Straight Up Band, Party Favors, Champagne Toast at midnight. Dress: Creative Black Tie (“First Nighters” given extra license.) Cost: $60.00 per person. Sign up with Jerry Mayo at the clubhouse. Members and guests of members welcome. Deadlines: Up to fifty members from each club until December 20th. After that, first come, first served. After December 20th, sorry, but we cannot give refunds for cancellations. Decorating: If you would like to help decorate, please let Patricia Nicewander know. Decorating date and time TBD.

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MONTEREY PENNISULA YACHT CLUB Municipal Wharf #2 Box 14 Monterey, CA 93940 Return Service Request 2006 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Commodore Garth Hobson Vice Commodore Donna Womble Rear Commodore John Ruck Staff Commodore Don Hoover Treasurer Debbie Morris Recording Secretary Todd Muck Corresponding Secretary Carolanne

Erickson Director Juli Alexander Director Doug Deppe Director David Duncan Director Rick Smith Website: www.mpyc.org See the Tiller in color online at the website.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID

MONTEREY, CA PERMIT NO. 69

TILLER STAFF Editor: Jennifer Duncan Production: Ray Ward Distribution: John and Kit Ruck Contributors: Garth Hobson Ron Baxter Laurette Cherry Diane Flanders Mitch Matthew Knox Millsaps John Ruck Ron Sherwin Thom Smith Send articles to [email protected]