The Chowder Chatter Newsletter of the Caloosahatchee Marching & Chowder Society

A Premiere Sailing Club of Southwest Florida

Next Full Moon January 19 January 2011

COMMODORE’S MESSAGE

Dear Sailors,

I want to thank all of you who made 2010 a great year for CMCS. Highlights of

the year include:

18 total cruises up the Caloosahatchee River and the coast of southwest Flor-

ida. All the cruise leaders and Glen and Paula Vetter did a great job entertaining

cruisers with wonderful destinations and fun activities.

13 club sponsored races in the Gulf of Mexico. Dan and Debbie Merriman

dedicated so much effort to provide the opportunity for competition among

members and guests.

What can I say about the success of October’s Summerset Regatta? As a

result of Steve Romaine’s team’s efforts, we were able to add $7,000 to our Youth Sailing and Maritime Grant

Fund. Many deserving young people will hone their sailing skills this year as a result.

Many fun socials enabled us to keep in touch with members new and old. Monica Hamme and her team

outdid herself with the Member Appreciation, Shrimp Boil and Christmas Party to name a few. These are

prime events for new and potential members to check us out to see if we really are as fun as we think we are.

Installation of a trophy cabinet at the Cape Coral Yacht Club reminds us of our sailing exploits of the past.

Your board members gave up Tuesday evenings once a month in order to provide continuity and oversight of

our activities and finances. We are in very good shape as a result of their efforts. With Bob Duff soon taking

over the leadership of our fine club, we will have a fun-filled 2011 on the water. I forgot to tell him the main

skill needed is the ability to herd cats. Just a little reflection on our diverse and adventurous membership.

It’s been fun being your 2010 Commodore. I’m really going to miss the cool hat and sword! This is one of

the nicest clubs of which I have ever been a part. Just this month we delivered a huge pile of food, toys and

$50 cash gathered at our Christmas party to the Cape Coral Caring Center. Let’s continue with our spirit of

unity and fun and we’ll be around for a long time in the future.

Here’s to fun on the water in 2011!

Joan Perkett

COMMODORE Joan Perkett

commodore@cmcs-sail.org

2

ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF

Saturday, January 22nd at 1800 Hours

In the Cape Coral Yacht Club Pavilion (on the beach)

Important note! The 2010 Calendar showed this popular event as taking place on

January 29. It is on the 22nd, so make a note in case you don’t receive your 2011

calendar beforehand.

This is your chance to become part of a CMCS tradition! Bring your crock pot

full of your best chili creation to the contest!

Awards will be given out for Best Tasting, Most Original, and of course…drum

roll…Best Presentation. You don’t need to declare a category, so it is possible you

could win all three prizes if you go all out.

If making chili is not your specialty, bring along chips and salsa, cornbread, or

dessert to enhance the feast.

Please email your RSVP to

cmcs7245@yahoo.com to let us

know if you are participating so

we’ll have plenty of space and

thank-you tokens. Your help in

setting up and tearing down is al-

ways appreciated as well.

Remember BYOB and bring your

own Maalox. Hasta luego!

3

RACING NEWS

Another year of racing is complete and not a single protest this

year, Thanks Skippers! Of the 13 scheduled races 2 were can-

celled, one for no wind and one for too much. We started the

year off with very unpredictable weather and ended the same

way. Summer proved to be a great time to race which was un-

usual. Participation was down some but that appears to be the

norm around the country. But we have a few new boats just start-

ing to race and I know there are more that could. Come on out

and give it a try.

On December 4th we had 14 boats at the start line for the Com-

modore’s Cup. We had 2 buoy races with 8-10 knot winds that

gradually gave out before a sea breeze kicked in. Some boats

drifted across the finish line for the second race while others were becalmed before the wind

shifted 90 degrees and made the downwind leg a beat to the finish.

Results were: Multihull – 1st – Passion III, Ned Christensen; Spinnaker – 1st – Sunrunner, Art

Monohan, 2nd – Macushla, Joel Andrews; Non spinnaker – 1st – Meritorious, Steve Roake, 2nd

- Air Supply, Steve Romaine, 3rd – After You, Gary Blessing; True Cruising – 1st – Jolly Mon,

David Naumann, 2nd - Wicked Wicked Ways, Roger Horton.Thanks go to Peggy Stafford for the

committee boat and to her nephew Kevin and my wife Debbie for their assistance on the com-

mittee boat. Also, Madame Commodore sailed out on Sunday Silence to watch and take pho-

tos, Thanks Joan.

The next race is the Chili Cook Off on

January 22. 3 Buoy races are planned

with a 1000 start. This race will be un-

der new management so expect to hear

from the 2011 Rear Commodore of

Racing prior to the race.

Thank you to all of the boats and

crews that participated in making this

year’s racing enjoyable.

Dan Merriman

Rear Commodore of Racing

January's Cruising Report

2010 has sailed by really fast! Hey – we all dodged another bullet –

according to the Mayan calendar, some people told us the world was

going to end on December 21st. Fortunately for us – we've all got a

little more time to cruise.

This month's cruising report includes a fair amount of information.:

First - a great article from the Miller Time – with pictures – con-

cerning the Thanksgiving Cruise to Cabbage Key and Useppa Island.

Second - we are reprinting the plans for New Year's Eve.

Third - as you start marking-up your new 2011 calendar, don't forget to reserve February 18th thru

20th for the Edison Festival or Lights Cruise.

Fourth - as you likely know – Ned Christensen will be taking over the helm as Rear Commodore of

Cruising. Which also means this is the last Cruising Report for Paula and I. Ned has given us a short

“Bio” which you find at the end of this report.

Finally – at the Christmas Dinner / Meeting we mentioned there may be a January cruise to Dry Tor-

tugas (West of Key West). Well, Captain Ned's test of the waters came to the conclusion that this

cruise may be better reserved for a warmer time of the year. Look for Ned to put something to-

gether in the coming months.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thanksgiving Cruise

November 25th thru 28th

Our cruise leaders are Deedee & Tim Cheek

The CMCS Thanksgiving cruise was blessed with great weather and camaraderie. There were 12 boats

anchored off Useppa Wednesday and/or Thursday - Bridget O’Toole, Miller Time, Air Supply, Rum Daze, Kestrel II, Shadowfax, Blank Check, Island Time, Sea Puppy, Wind Swept, Zydaco, and Trust Me.

Now the Roakes made it on their powerboat, Lioness, staying Wednesday and Thursday nights at Cab-

bage Key and joined us for Happy Hour on Miller Time Wednesday. While the 13 of us were around

Cabbage Key, we had Jolly Mon, Tyrolia, Samphire, and Air Boss over at Pelican Bay.

Thursday was a lazy day – people read, took dingy rides and whatever else sailors do. (Shadowfax

seemed to be rocking and rolling a little bit too much.) We took off for dinner about 5:30 during a pic-

ture perfect dingy ride to Cabbage Key. The dinner and service was great and it was a very easy turkey

4

Rear Commodores of Cruising

Glen & Paula Vetter

5

dinner for 26 of us.

Friday morning the rain came in --- and we

were to leave for the Useppa museum tour

about 10:30. Lady Luck was on our side. The

rain stopped and the weather cleared for

the ride to the island. Many thanks to Caro-

lyn Wilson for arranging the museum tour

with her friend from Useppa, Rona Stage.

Twelve stayed on after the museum visit to

tour Island and have lunch. Reports were

great! If you haven’t seen the museum you

need to go!

The wind kicked up Friday so all the boats at

Useppa moved to Pelican Bay. During the day Chase The Clouds, Gopher Baroque, Ariel, and Easter Lee

joined the cruisers at Pelican Bay – make that 21 boats for the cruise! We had a great Happy Hour

Friday on what is now referred to as Dog Beach. That’s the beach on Punta Blanca Island (which is to

the east/left of Cayo Costa) when you come in to Pelican Bay. As usual we had lots of food and chat.

Plans were to go to CheeDix Cut the next day or the beach on Cayo Costa.

Saturday we had two departures: group 1 and group 2. This departure was based on how much you en-

joyed seeing the sights really good or whizzing by. All merged at the east end of the cut to find very

shallow water. Now that was planned as we knew we would have plenty of water leaving the beach.

Some could make it; some couldn’t without someone getting out and pulling the dink thru the shallow

areas. It was worth it – a beautiful day, beach was spectacular, and Mel’s girlfriend, Glenda enter-

tained us fishing for whatever was out there. You need to check out the pictures of the cruise on

Shutterfly….one was a shark! Several boats went over to the beach on Cayo Costa and enjoyed relax-

ing and shelling. Saturday night everyone was pretty much on their own. The Stiers want to thank

Mel’s dink for taking a joy ride without the crew in the bayou off the beach. He had to have the local

Sea Tow (DD’s Dink) take him to his dink to rescue the abandoned crew. That earned him the Yellow

Flag! I think “Little Ix” did that one time too.

6

Sunday we woke up to fog. And I mean really thick fog. Again, you need to check out the pictures on

Shutterfly (thanks Glenda for all the pictures) to get a true visual of what it was like. Lady Luck was

with us again. The fog lifted and we left with a great sail home. Yes we could actually sail the ICW!

Deedee & Tim Cheek – Miller Time

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Holiday Cruise

December 26th thru January 1st

This cruise is a little different than most. With Christmas being a major family holiday, cruisers tend

to head out on different days. In fact, many crew come only to the New Year's celebration. Still oth-

ers make New Year's Eve a “land cruise”.

Typically, several boats will start the cruise by meeting in Pelican Bay on December 26th. For those un-

sure of the exact location – go to 26° 41.7' N 62° 14.6' W, at the North end of Cayo Costa, and look

for boats with the CMCS burgee. From there, the cruisers will head out to various locations at various

times.

The big event is the CMCS New Year's celebration at Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda. Carolyn

Wilson has also arranged with Fisherman's Village Marina for CMCSers to use the marina's hospitality

room on New Years’ Eve, December 31st, 2010 from 5PM – midnight. At 5:30 PM we have the tradi-

tional cocktail hour – bring your own beverage and a snack to share. At 8:30 PM there are two choices

this year:

7

Raimund Haunholter is coordinating the restaurant dinner for those who wish to go that route.

Seating is at 8:30 P.M. He needs to have reservations in by December 10th. Please email or call

him with the number of people you would like to include.

rhaunho@embarqmail.com or 239-549-0719

The usual "bring a dish or snack to share" potluck event in the marina's hospitality room. No reser-

vation needed.

As I write this article, we have 23 boats with reservations! We were only guaranteed 20 slips, so if you

want to go to Fisherman's Village, you will need to call Randy at the marina ASAP at 941-575-3000.

Randy is in charge of coordinating club events, so if you speak with anyone else, be sure they get the

word to Randy so you can get your Club discount! Also inform Carolyn Wilson as she is following up with

Randy to ensure all the right people are getting the discount.

Carolyn Wilson's contact information:

Phone: 239-283-1138

Email: treefinder@bridgeotoole.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Introducing CMCS's 2011 Rear Commodore of Cruising – Ned Christensen

Janette and I joined the CMCS club in early 1993, and we made our first cruise with the club in May of that

year. That cruise was to the Abacos Islands in the Bahamas. I remember just how nervous we both were about

crossing the fabled Gulf Stream. On that crossing we joined Bob and Betty Kayusa as

well as three other boats. Bob and Betty were excellent at giving briefings before

the cruise concerning provisioning for the cruise and potential problems that might

be encountered on the 6 week journey. My love for sailing was further ignited on that

cruise and I have continued to sail farther and farther from home as years have gone

by. To date, I have sailed round trip to the Virgin Islands 7 and 1/2 times. The half

trip resulted because I picked up my current boat in Bulgaria and sailed it back to

Cape Coral through the Mediterranean, crossed the Atlantic Ocean in November of

2002 and sailed up the Windward Island chain and subsequently back home

Getting out on the water is a passion of mine, (hence the boat name,) and I am looking

forward to enjoying the cruising events scheduled for this year. Speaking of cruising

events, EPOL is coming up in February so begin thinking about making the cruise up to

Legacy Marina and joining in the festivities. An email blast will be forthcoming with

details including dates and expected costs

8

LADIES BRIDGE CLUB Planning Meeting: Wednesday, January 12th at 7:00 PM

Hosted by ???

As of Chowder Chatter deadline, we have not yet replaced Rose Ann and Sue Stier as co-chairs

of the Ladies Bridge Club. If you are willing to step up and help, please call Bob Duff or Joan

Perkett.

For our new members, the Ladies Bridge Club does not play cards. Ladies of CMCS gather

monthly during the spring and fall to engage in fun and sailing-oriented activities.

We have two ladies day sails already on the calendar for 2011. One will be on Sunday, Febru-

ary 13th in the afternoon and the other one will be on Sunday, October 16th. We know the first

meeting in January will be a planning meeting, so we just need activities planned for Thursday

March 10th, Wednesday, April 13th, Thursday, May 12th, and Thursday, November 10th. The

Christmas party and pirate gift exchange will be on Wednesday, December 14th. More than

half the planning is already done!

So please contact us if you would like to chair or co-chair this function. We ask that the com-

mittee chair prepare an article for the Chowder Chatter every month to let us know what’s hap-

pening in the coming month and facilitate the meeting planning. It’s a good job for part-time

residents, as we are on hiatus from June through September. Help continue this tradition be-

gun years ago by Ginny Price!

Twenty-six ladies enjoyed the pirate gift exchange in December.

9

CMCS Donations Help Needy

After the 2010 CMCS Christmas party, Phil Correll dropped off two shopping carts full of

toys at the Cape Coral Caring Center. Sue Stier dropped off 201 pounds of food and Joan

Perkett dropped off $50 in cash donations from club members. Fred, at the center, sends his

thanks to our members for their generosity. According to him this year's total donations will

set a new record which is good because the need is greater than other years.

The Bilge Club

While the Ladies Bridge Club had their Christmas Party 14 men attended the Florida Everblades game at Germain Arena. Pictured are Paul Corzatt, Cecil Hazen, Rick Thiele, Russell Vance, Steve Romaine, Glen Vetter, Dennis Aguilera, Steve Roake, Tom Poulos, Ray Gherardini, Glenn Diedricksen and Mel Rudd. Don Lawson is behind the camera.

C.M.C.S . CHANDLERY Buy, sell, trade

Members, to advertise your boating-related items free in the CMCS Chandlery, e-mail

Don Lawson, Chowder Chatter Editor at chowderchatter@cmcs-sail.org or use your roster for telephone information.

Your ad will be listed for 3 months unless you notify me to take your listing out sooner.

Non-members are welcome to advertise their items at a price of $30.00 for 3 months. Business cards or business related listings sent in digital format only :

Members: 3 months, $25.00 Non-members: 3 months, $50.00

Send a check made out to C.M.C.S. to : Chowder Chatter Editor, 1411 SW 53rd Lane, Cape Coral, FL 33914

10

SAILBOAT GEAR FOR SALE 2-Harken Deck Organizers #1501 (3-sheave) used one season, 2@$50.00; 1-pair Harken Traveler Control Blocks, #1935 (3-sheave) (use on Harken cars),$50.00; 1-Harken 3" double block (new) w/o shackle, $35.00; 1-Harken #028 3"/1-3/4" fiddle block (used) w/o shackle,$35.00; 2-Harken #132 1-1/2" Big Bullet Cheek Blocks (new) 2@ $10.00; 2-Spinlock XT08-14 double rope clutches (used), 2@ $90.00; 2-Sparcraft press-lock jib sheet shackles (up to 1/2" line), $75.00; 1-Lewmar 10" chrome double grip locking winch handle, $60.00; 1-Charles 30A 50' shore power cord, like new, $60.00; 1-Navtec hydraulic cylinder (no pump), $1.00; 1-Flex-O-Fold 17x8 two-blade folding prop (1-1/8" shaft) used one season, $500.00; 1-ss reefing/cunningham hook, $15.00; 2-(1 pair) 1-1/2"x8-1/2"x1/8" ss tangs (link plates) w/5/8" dia holes, $40.00; 1-spring type hatch holder-9" (new), $8.00; 1-Whale Flipper SK0405 pump service kit for Mk 3-4 pumps (new), $5.00; 1-Yanmar 55A Alternator (Hitachi 155-20) used 73 hours (2 weeks!), $400.00; 1-Yanmar drive belt (REMF 6450) 1/2"x46", new, never used, $10.00; 1-Jim Buoy MOB Pole bracket (new), $20.00; 1-Tempo rubber OB motor bracket pad (new), $10.00; 1-1/2"x140' low-stretch main halyard w/shackle (used 4 months), $100.00; 2-1/2"x138' low-stretch jib halyards w/ Wichard snap shackles (used 4 months),2@ $140.00; 1-1/2"x64' green double braid (used), $15.00; 1-1/2"x48' white double braid (used), $10.00; 2-5/16"x46' red double braid w/eye splices 2@ $15.00; 2-10mm x 64' T900 extra low stretch 2@ $35.00; 1-7/16"x95' white double braid (used 4 months), $40.00; 1-5/16"x55' double-braid (used), $15.00; 4-assorted sail bags (used/clean), offers For further information contact: Steve Roake (239)549-2434 or steve@theroakes.com

DOCK SPACE FOR RENT

Sail boat accessible.

Easy access to gulf, south of Cape Coral

Parkway/off Skyline.

5305 SW 8th Place. $200 per month.

Additional information contact Dina

dina.dinamay@gmail.com or 630 269-4338

TEVA SANDALS Teva Wraptor men's sandals (with toe protector) - size 12, worn barely once. Paid $120 - will sell for 1/2 price of $60 OBO. Anchor line and chain (approx. 200' rope and 20' chain). Also LIKE NEW! $50 ? OBO call Ray at 850-3027 to see!

3/11 1/11

1/11

MINUTE MAN MARINE CO.

Air Conditioning Electrical

Refrigeration Systems

Quality Yacht Maintenance since 1974

1413 SW 52nd Terrace

Cape Coral, FL 33914

(239)542-8791 Jim Wylie

11

Boat Anchor

For Sale. 25# CQR anchor. Excellent condi-

tion. $145. Call Jim Vaigl 945-6146.

Commodore Joan Perkett and Summerset Vice Commodore Steve Remaine present a $500 donation from CMCS to Betty Goodacre and Joanne Semmer of the Ostego Bay Foundation, Inc. The Ostego Bay Marine Science Center is located at 718 Fishermans Wharf on San Carlos Island in Fort Myers Beach. The Center provides a marine science experience through interactive exhibits, aquariums, hands on tank, collections and displays. Open Wednesday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday hours vary seasonally. http://www.ostegobay.org/

CMCS Photos—Please Contribute Don’t forget to visit the club photo share site

http://cmcssailclub.shutterfly.com

12/10

11/10

1/11

CMCS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

JANAURY 2011 Jan. 8 1800 hours Change of Watch Jan.12 Ladies Bridge Club Jan. 22 Chili Cook-off Race Jan. 22 1800 hours Chili Cook-off Social

WWW.SAIL-CMCS.ORG

CMCS Chowder Chatter c/o Don Lawson, Editor 1411 SW 53rd. Ln. Cape Coral, FL 33914 chowderchatter@cmcs-sail.org