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At the end of our 2021 sailing season, I entered our Cape Dory, to prepare the boat for a sail. Upon going below deck, I noticed that something was "off". A quick visual revealed nothing out of the ordinary, so I went up topside to take off sail covers and warm up the engine. Returning to the slip after a pleasant sail, I went below to fill out my log book. That something "off" alert got my attention again. I did a visual inspection from stem to stern. Nothing. Out of frustration, I sat down to fill out my log book, and swung the chart table closer towards me, revealing the gastrointestinal results of some kind of mystery critter. I immediately felt challenged by understanding how anything could breach my securely locked companionway boards. Maybe I left the boat open when I ran up to the car to fetch a boat part??? Must have been a cagey animal to know when the boat was open and when I was away from it. What kind of critter am I dealing with?? This same thing happened maybe a week later, in the same spot. Something was using my boat as a club house.
Then one day, while below deck, looking out the starboard side portlight, I noticed a weasel like figure cavorting down the dock, busily inspecting the cockpits of each boat in its slip. Busted! Now I knew what critter was leaving packages for me to clean up...but still, how was it getting inside the boat? As hard to believe as it seems, I'm 99% sure, it's entering through my Dorades. If you've got fresh air funnels on your boat, you could receive, or perhaps already have received, packages from Buck Wild.
The Orb Weaver spider, commonly found amongst the breakwater rocks of the Great Salt Lake Marina. And if you've had a boat slipped or stored at the GSLYC...you've got Orb Weaver spiders somewhere inside your boat. Another very un-welcomed guest.
Besides spreading this prolific pest to any marina you may visit (Utah Lake, Jordanelle, Strawberry, etc.), please consider "fogging" your boat to be a good neighbor, and to help avoid any unpleasant experiences aboard your own vessel, as you overnight.
Easy to use and effective, fog your boat each spring, to avoid unwanted pest populations on your own boat, and as a courtesy to your dock mates.
Before you splash (on or after April 1)...
Make an appointment with the Park for your boat inspection
Make sure you bring along:
PFD's for each passenger
Quagga Mussel forms (for your boat and your tow vehicle)
Slip Lease Agreement from the Park
Display of bow numbers (they need to be properly displayed, with size and spacing)
Registration paperwork on board
Proof of Insurance
Current, fully charged fire extinguisher(s)
Oars / paddle
Bailing device
Type IV Throwable PFD
Working Navigation Lights (they won't work if your battery isn't charged)
Capacity Plate (?)
HIN number displayed
Sound producing device (a whistle will do)
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If I may add:
VHF radio (For ship to ship communications)
Windy Lookout App (Great warning device for getting your sails down before clobberin' time)
Swim Ladder
MOB fleece blanket
Bonine (So far, the best sea sickness medication I've found, tested and proven)
Anchor, mounted on bow and ready to use
A good quality Marlin Spike / Rigging Knife (Read not cheap)...Dear Santa
Flares are nice for nighttime emergencies (but they do expire)
Heafty boat hook
Floating towing line
A good knowledge of "Right of Way" rules
Let's all do our part to conserve water.
New Horizons Maritime Center
Gettin' 'er done.
Sea Scouts and Leaders getting Jolly Mon ship shape.
Here we are filling blister holes with "fairing compounds".
Everyone pitched in for a very productive night.
Good turn-out. Great progress.
Tight quarters maneuvering.
The Atomic 4 engine requires some special patience and determination to work on.
Who knows...uncovering a brass propeller under layers of paint and hardened, dried algae
may be the beginnings of a gifted archeologist.
Consider bringing your youth group to our next Jolly Mon project night:
April 6, 2022, Salem, Utah
Please RSVP with your group size.
801-636-5204
Utah Lake Water Level
-3.75'
This will come up with Spring Runoff.
The lake will accommodate 4' draft boats just fine.
Utah Lake Regatta
Saturday, June 4, 2022
Thank you to all who have stepped up to help.
We have your names and will be formulating "the game plan".
We can always use a few more helpers.
Crankin' up the Barbie for hungry Regatta sailors. Special thanks to DeWitt. Thanks volunteers.
Best turnout ever made for new friendships and renewed old ones.
This is "icing on the cake".
Thanks Melanie for the impressive awards.
In the past, after the Regatta, we have given out lots of "safety stuff" swag for your boats:
PFD's, radios, rigging knives, new running rigging, sailing gloves, head lamps, sun hats, Navionics memberships, binoculars, soft shackles, anchor brackets, GPS, etc.
Let's try to insure we don't have the same give-away swag for 2022.
Please take just 1/2 minute to contact us with what kind of door prizes would help to bring you down to the Utah Lake Regatta. Your input is appreciated.
P.S. Thank you Utah Lake Commission for sponsoring the Regatta again this year.
Good Times!
Yesteryear
Bonneville School of Sailing
www.bonnevillesailing.com
801.636.5204
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