ClubBuzz: Bumper Buzz! Rolex Pics, New Member Hangout, Call for Volunteers for Coastal Cleanup

The Buzz
Newsletter of The Club at Westpoint
Friday, September 15th, 2023

September through November at The Club

September
Thursday, 14th to Sunday, 17th – Rolex Big Boat Series with Hurrica and Ocean Queen competing
Friday, 15th – Friday Fun Series #9
Saturday, 16th – Special Meet the New Members Hangout on the Party Barge
Monday, 18th – Room reserved for a private event – 4:00 to 7:00 pm
Friday, 22nd – Sunday 24th, Cruise-In from Corinthians Yacht Club
Friday, 22nd – Movie Night – 60th Anniversary of The Birds (Hitchcock)
Saturday, 23rd – Coastal Cleanup – volunteers needed
Saturday, 23rd – Rock the Dock at The Port of Redwood City – shuttle service from Westpoint Harbor – volunteers needed
Saturday, 23rd – Red Bra Regatta South Beach Yacht Club
Monday 25th to Tuesday 26th – Clubhouse closed for a private event
Saturday, 30th – PICYA Margot Brown Wheelchair Regatta

October
Friday, 6th – Friday Fun Series #10
Monday, 9th – Columbus Day observed
Friday, 13th – October Pub Quiz
SUNDAY, 15th – Docktober Fest – Feast, Fun, and Oompah!
Sunday, 22nd – RC Laser Racing
Friday, 27th – Annual Members Meeting (proposed)

November
Friday, 3rd – Pub Quiz
Sunday, 5th – Daylight Savings Ends (or does it?)
Tuesday, 21st – Private Event – Wardroom – 13:00 to 16:00
Thursday, 9th – Board Meeting
Friday, 10th – Craft Beer Night – Ghostwood Ales
Thursday, 23rd – Thanksgiving (Observed) – clubhouse open
Friday, 24th – Day after Thanksgiving (Observed) – clubhouse open

Club Chronicles #11: Learn to Convert
The latest insightful look at sailing
From Member, Port Captain, Neal Doten

Learn to Convert!
Back in the day (actually 2016) ─ which seems like ancient history now ─ cruising in Mexico was a bargain. If I remember correctly, it was about ten pesos to the dollar. Now, the rate is about 20 to the dollar, BUT prices have risen significantly to more than offset the stronger purchasing power of the dollar.

This is not necessarily true across the board. I suspect that my assumption may be true in the cities and the tourist areas. However, when one cruises to the small coastal communities in more remote locations, the prices are more likely to be “cruiser-friendly.” Thus, sailing in Mexico may still be less demanding on your cruising budget.
However, one must learn to convert (pesos ↔ dollars) to really appreciate the extent of your “good deal” when looking at fixed prices (e.g., Super Comercial [Mexican supermarket chain]) or negotiating with street vendors.

Wandering around La Cruz (the north shore of Banderas Bay), I encountered a sign in front of a locally-owned hair salon. Standing there and contemplating the prices, I was pleasantly surprised by the advertised costs for men’s and women’s hair cuts (“cortes de pelo”).

Using the “then” exchange rate of ten pesos to the dollar, a man’s haircut was only $3.50 (USD) and a woman’s haircut was $6.00 (USD).
What a deal compared to the cost for the same service stateside! It pays to become familiar with the exchange rate and quickly make mental calculations ─ am I negotiating a good deal or not? This knowledge and skill enhances your experience when “shopping on the streets.” Interacting with the many street-side vendors is a fun part of cruising in Mexico.

Neal Doten s/v No Moss

RC Laser Racing
Pics from Sunday’s Race
New Race Date Added to the Calendar

RC Laser Racers were out in force on Sunday. Five boats were in the water and we even had coverage from the air.

It was quite the international competiton with skippers from Sweden, Great Britain, USA, and Australia.

Light winds fooled everyone into their largest sails but, as usual, the Westpoint Wind picked up and there was a scamble to hoist a mor appropriately sized sail.

Congrats to Sweden as the race winner.

Additional 2023 race added October 22nd at 2:00 pm and afterwards in the clubhouse. We have spare boats if you’d like to come along and try your hand.

Pics courtesy of Dana Sanderson. Thank you.

Join the discussion
Keep in touch with other members

We’ve been testing a common communication platform during the last few cruise outs – and it’s worked well. Given the mixture of mobile operating systems and the need to communication across all devices, we started testing different software platforms to enable easy group discussions. Something that allows seamless sharing of text, photos and video without strange iOS vs. Android (and others) software issues.

I’d like to propose we use Signal and try expanding to a larger audience of members. Unlike other common platforms, Signal is from a not-for-profit company, does not collect or sell your personal data and provides fully end-to-end encrypted communication—whether text, voice or video—and explicitly collects minimal required user information. This is clearly documented by the Privacy description in the Application Stores. Signal does occasionally ask for a donation, but it’s completely voluntary. The testing has worked so well that it’s time we open this up for more people interested in joining the discussion.

To get started, first download the free Signal app from your preferred Store. Signal also has a desktop agent that is available for Mac OS. Signing up in the app is quick, using just your name and mobile number. We’ve created two groups so far to enable topic-specific conversation, please join as you like and you can drop out of the conversation at any time. The important thing to understand, when you join (or rejoin) a conversation, Signal will not allow you to see any of the prior discussions that happened when you were not a member of the group, so no scrolling back to see what was said without you.

To join the TCAW Social group – for discussions involving member social activities, use this link:
To join the TCAW Boat Maintenance & Repair group – for discussions involving the topic of boating repair, use this link:

Note, anyone with a link can join the discussion, but the groups are moderated and non-members will be removed, as will inappropriate and off-topic content.

Hope to see you on Signal, be part of the discussion!

Shannon

Hurrica and Ocean Queen in the Rolex
Thursday September 14th to 17th – first warning at 11:00 am

The Rolex Big Boat Series is once again at St. Francis Yacht Club. Hurrica V and Ocean Queen V are both competing in the classic races on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

It is sure to be a thrilling event. More details here. Results here.

Pictures from yesterday’s racing are below. Hurrica top, Ocean Queen below. All race pictures here.

New Members Hang Out
Join us on the Party Barge for Cocktails and Snacks
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm Saturday 16th September

All members are invited to join us on the Large Barge for cocktails and snacks. We’re inviting all new members to come along and meet and greet.

We enjoy some late summer sun, some fun conversation, and perhaps a game of corn-hole or two.
RSVP Here.

Movie Night: The Birds (60th Anniversary)
Depending on the Weather Outside or in the clubhouse
Friday 22nd, September from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

2023 marks 60 years since the iconic Hitchcock masterpiece “The Birds” was released. Starring Rod Taylor, Jessica Tandy, Suzanne Pleshette, and the incredible Tippi Hedren is both a thrilling tale and wonderful look at Bodega Bay way back in 1963.

As usual there will be some food and beverages available for members and guests.

If the weather is good we will hold the movie outside (bring chairs and warm clothes). If not inside the clubhouse.

RSVP Here.

Corinthian Yacht Club Cruise-In
Please welcome the Corinthian Yacht Club
Friday 22nd to 24th, September

The Corinthian Yacht Club has an extensive history spanning over 130 years here in the Bay Area. It is the second oldest yacht club in Northern California and remains in its original location since its founding in 1886.

For an extensive overview of our history by the History & Artifacts committee, please see CYCHistory.com.

Our Port Captains will be out assisting in the arrival of the Corinthian Fleet. If you would like to join the Prot Captains and learn about this important task please contact PortCaptain@TheClubAtWestpoint.com.

Please stop by and say “hi” to our visitors if you can and make them welcome.

Volunteers Needed to run a shuttle service from WPH to the Port of RWC
We’re going to run a shuttle service to the Port of Redwood City. If you’d like to ferry members from Westpoint to the Port of Redwood City via car or boat we’d welcome your help. The first shuttle will leave at 4:00 pm and the last one will return at 8:00 pm.

Volunteer here.

COASTAL CLEANUP 2023
Meet at the harbor house
Saturday, September 23rd at 10:00 am

The Club at Westpoint is once again hosting Coastal Cleanup Day in Westpoint Harbor. This year we’ll meet on Saturday, September 23rd at 10 a.m. and finish at 12 p.m. Volunteer today to help protect our environment and keep our community beautiful.

You’ll need sunscreen, closed-toe shoes, a hat, reusable gloves, a bucket, and a water bottle.

You can sign up here. Note: for school-age kids, it’s an excellent opportunity to notch a couple of community service hours.

Rock the Dock: The Complications
Summer concert at The Port of Redwood City
This free event starts at 4:30 and goes until 7:00 pm
Shuttle Service from 4:00 until 8:00 to and from the clubhouse

Corinthian Yacht Club will be visting The Club this weekend and are planning on attending the Rock the Dock concert featuring The Complications on Saturday.

The Club is providing a shuttle service for the members and guests to the concert running every 30-minutes from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.

The concert is free and there are food trucks available.

RSVP Here.

Volunteer here.

PICYA Margot Brown Wheelchair Regatta
Saturday September 30th at Encinal YC

PICYA is hosting its 25th Annual Wheelchair Regatta. This event provides disabled veterans with the experience of a boat cruise in the Oakland Estuary and along the San Francisco City front.

Guests are treated to a picnic lunch and entertainment at Encinal Yacht Club. Most guests are US veterans living in Northern California veterans’ homes and hospitals.

Powerboat skippers are needed to donate their time and boat to host one or more guests aboard their vessel. Skippers Register Here

Volunteers from PICYA member can donating time assisting in welcoming, boarding, preparing and serving lunch, and entertainment. Volunteers Register Here

WE NEED YOUR DONATIONS!
VETERAN BAGS: personal care items (shampoo, toothbrushes, tooth paste, deodorant, soap, body wash, scissors, combs, clippers, razors, brushes, etc.) as well as other small items (candy, chips, flashlights, slippers, socks, hats, small puzzles, blank stationary, blank greeting cards, word find, puzzle or crossword books, misc) and bags.
SKIPPERS BAGS: bottles of white and red wine, small boat related items or apparel for skippers’ who donate their yachts and time to take our veterans out on the Bay.
CASH DONATIONS: to purchase supplies, film and the food & drinks for 600 veterans, care givers and volunteer helpers who will be present for this event. Checks should be made payable to PICYA Foundation and mailed to Winston Bumpus, PICYA Foundation Treasurer, 805 Seal Pointe Drive, Redwood City, CA 94065 or Donate Online Here

Contact club members and PICYA Staff Commodores, Liz Allison, Winston Bumpus for more information or go Here.

S/C Winston Bumpus & S/C Linda Blue Co-Chairs 2023 PICYA Margot Brown Wheelchair Regatta