Member News and Articles

The detailed and stirring story of this tragedy reminds us how the basic concepts of seamanship and navigation we learn in our Squadron courses also apply to big (very big) ships.  

Now it’s time to decide on what the priorities are to get her ready for cruising. This is a bit tricky. We are not retired but our schedule is somewhat flexible so we are able to spend about 10 days a month from August thru February at the boat. Hurricane season we are home working. We are on a budget so need to decide what to do ourselves and what to hire out. Time vs money….always a compromise.

September 9, 1942, the I-25 class Japanese submarine was cruising in an easterly direction raising its periscope occasionally as it neared the United States Coastline. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor less than a year ago and the Captain of the attack submarine knew that Americans were watching their coast line for ships and aircraft that might attack our country.

If you sail, especially if you go to our lovely Channel Islands, I recommend participating in one of these classes as they are informative, led by highly experienced sailors, and include the opportunity for hands-on exposure to the latest advances in safety methods and equipment. 

We finally did it, took the plunge, jumped off the edge, started on the journey. Whatever you want to call it, we bought THE boat. Not just any boat, the boat that will take us on our grand cruising adventure. Our search included several years, continents, countries and vacations to make the decision.

Yes, Ellie and I are (once again) hoping to put our two-week “Catalina Loop Cruise” together in the period immediately following Labor Day.  And yes!  It is the very cruise we presented on the last session of the Squadron Cruise Planning Course we took last year.

Many people consider nineteen days at sea to be a lot.  And it can be, or not, depending on the voyage and how it is remembered.  I’ve been fortunate that most of my Pacific crossings have been, as I recall, overall, fun.  Of course, as I was once told by someone, it helps a lot to have a really poor memory. 

In their 11,111.1 mile “Trailer Odyssey” late last year, SBSPS members Duane Felender and Janis Johnson continued to find themselves attracted to water activities and views in coastal towns, on rivers and more!