Micki McNaughton, our Secretary and keeper of our archives, has been looking at our history and finding things worth reprinting. Here are three. Spelling is as it was in the original and in the spirit of seamen of old.
Should reading this account stimulate memories, we would be very happy to hear from you. Nor does it have to be about the 1970’s; we are interested in all of the Club’s history.
November 1973
There’s a luff in your leach, Charlie Brown
There’s a stays’l in our fleet with the shortest luff and the longest foot anyone’s ever seen---bet it would look just as pretty right side up, Chuck…
April 1975
The Lazarette – Ken Russell
We have moved into a new era of public awareness concerning environment. Until recently, large government or industrial interests were steamrollered through by conning the public into believing it was "good for them."
No more! The April 16th hearing on the oil tanker proposal in Budd Inlet was a pleasant example of the change. The Department of Natural Resources presented an excellent hearing for many, including South Sound sailors, shippers, landowners, the Port of Olympia, Chamber of Commerce, County Commissioners and others. Opposition was heavy against the proposal. By April 21st, Bert Cole had sent a letter to Cascade Shipping Company, recommending against the proposal.
Our involvement as sailors is not over! The Port of Olympia needs support for their new East Bay Harbor Development. Watch for future hearing dates on that subject and come and help shape the new East Bay Marina!
Other items of interest: Burfoot Park, Boston Harbor Boat Ramp, and Boston Harbor Marina. Burfoot Park, being developed by the County just south of Boston Harbor, will be a new stop-over for boaters. Permits are in for floats extending 290 feet into the bay. That means 6 feet of water at the float end at a –3 foot tide. Ten mooring bouys will also be installed north of the float for overnight use. The complete installation will be similar to that at Squaxin Island. Upland development includes playfields, trails and land-based picnic facilities.
The decadent ramp at Boston Harbor is being rebuilt by the County. It will be lengthened and widened to 24 feet, using chain linked concrete planks. The plan calls for upland parking for up to 40 car/trailer units. Much public involvement has gone into these developments through the Boston Harbor Planning Association.
[Now, 2009, the County Parks Department is closing for budget reasons.]
One last item: Bill Ward has sold the marina at Boston Harbor. Bill’s friendly hail will be missed by all of us!
February 1977
From the Commodore: Howard Bullpit
The very first Toliva Shoal Race was suggested by your commodore. We were to start on a Saturday in October of 1970, but as it seems to happen whenever I suggest a race, there is no wind. We tried again in April of 1971 in light breezes and said "Toliva Shoal or bust!" We made it to the shoal but finally quit after bouncing around with no wind for a few hours. The last to quit was Bill Oliver who was seen motoring in the next morning moments before the cutoff time.
We raced again in the spring of 1972 and had a great race (except for a boat or two stuck in Balch Passage). In 1973 we joined the big time and made it an invitational race in cooperation with OYC. Our partnership has been a happy one for us as I hope it has for OYC.
This then, is our fifth annual Invitational Toliva Shoal Race. May there be many more!
My personal appreciation goes to the many people that have made this race a success in the past and to those who will make it a success this year and in the future.