Knot the Commodore's Corner
John P. Taylor, Past Commodore & Binnacle Editor

It's been some time since I published the Binnacle. The last being before the Christmas Holidays, I needed a little break. Besides we really didn't have a lot of news or announcements worthy of print. But, now that we are fast approaching boating season, things are heating up (yes, I did intend a pun).

Over the last few months your board of directors have been busy; they put on their agendas matters regarding amendments to our byloaws, reviewed the needs of our new committee boat, welcomed the return of Commodore Kim, Vice Commodore John Ochs, Treasurer John Friedly, Secretary Alicia Sonju, and Linda Orlow, along with our new board members, Jim Sell & Doug Simpson, approved the club hosting a Racing rules of Sailing Seminar, discussed various ideas for the ole green pontoon committee boat. With all of that on their plates, it should prove to be an exceptional season.

For me, I've been looking for someone to take over as the binnacle editor. But I don't see my door being knocked down by the clamoring multitudes of members who wish to take over. That's okay; I really do like doing this most of the time. It's only when I get really busy at the office or home that it becomes a chore.

If you haven't noticed we almost get 12 hours of daylight per day. That means it's only a short period of time before we start putting the boats back in the water. In other words, the time is near that you need to start thinking about getting to the boat and getting started on those projects you promised you would do before the water is soft and the breeze begins to blow from the south. Personally I can hardly wait. I missed my usual travel south with Marty Jensen to race in warmer climes for a week.

This past winter Marty went to one of my favorite destinations - Key West - for the "Key West Race Week." They didn't do so well in the regatta, but according to the reports they won in fun competition. Kim and I are already saving up to be there next year. Hopefully some of you will join us. Think about it (January, southern-most point in the U.S., fun and revelry in Key West, not to mention the sailing).

Till I write again, stay on the favored tack to the mark, and sail it like you stole it.

Kudos

Keith Atee, has volunteered to be the Co-Chair with Mike Miller on the Race Committee. Thank you, Keith.

The Crew of Gotcha (Mike Dow), have donated redesigned and improved Race buoys to be in place in time for the start of the 2005 racing season. Thank you to all of the crew of Gotcha.

More What's in a Name

NORTHERN LIGHT (Tom & Linda Orlow) was named for a variety of reasons. Linda and Tom say a beautiful, large wood Sparkman and Stephens racing yawl when sailing in Maine many years ago name the same. Joshua Slocum (first solo circumnavigator on Spray) once owned a three-skysail yard Down Easter that was built in 1873 by the same name. There was also a 12 meter America's Cup challenger with the same name. It also represents their move north and a Newfoundland brewed beer named Northern Light!

GO BLUE (Fred Pike) was named for a different reason than you may expect... first it was in hopes that the blue hulled boat would GO fast and that he had spent seven years along the (blue) river Nile!

FAIRRET (Jerry and Carol Seymour) was a result of the fact that their property is named "Fairwinds" and they thought that a small boat and a ferret have a lot in common - unpredictable, playful and lively so they adapted the spelling to reflect that property name.

1. Think of Lou Hollow.
2. Next realize how bald he is.
3. Think of how a bald eagle is a wise bird.
4. Now again think of the connection...
5. That's Lou Hollow.
6. That's why he named his boat BALD EAGLE. Yep! That's it! "So simple... like me," he said.

MORE NAMES NEXT MONTH