Volume 40 Issue 4 – April 2021
Commodore’s Log
Diana Bliss
Well, we finally got our big snowstorm and it looks like March may be going out like a lion. But I’m hopeful that April will be warming up and people will be gathering more. We do have a couple of happenings coming up in April. Marilyn will be leading off with the first day sail on April 17th. Details will be coming in this newsletter and at the member’s meeting. It will be great to be heading out on the water soon!
There will be a few changes to the sailing schedule to pay attention to. Ladies Day will be moved to May 23rd to make room for the Boat Wash and Boat Ready Day to be on April 24th. Watch the news as Dave Westfall will be heading this day up with hopefully a short sail afterwards. Andrea is setting up a social gathering for April 10th to kick off the season and to get re-connected!! It will be great to see people in person again. Another change to the sailing schedule is the Big Mac trip needed to be moved from June 4th-6th to NEW Dates of June 18th-20th. This was due to a fishing derby which was planned at Big Mac the first weekend in June. Last year with low water levels and the fishing derby, launching boats from one boat ramp at the dam was slow and crowded. Water levels are at 73% full so far. Mark your calendars and information will hopefully be coming out in mid-April to early May for price of trip and sign ups.
I’m looking into having the May meeting down at Chatfield Marina either outdoors or in the marina restaurant. Plans are in the works, so get ready for sailing with us soon!!!
Since we are starting sailing in April, you might want to get your sweatshirt order into Cliff as soon as possible to be in the first batch ordered. He needs only four more orders for the first batch. Thanks goes out to Brooke for the State Parks Pass orders at a discounted price. I got mine ready to turn in my voucher when my pass expires. If you are still interested in joining us this year for sailing, it’s not too late to re-join the club! That way you will be on the first roster posted in the beginning of the season. Membership forms are on the website and you can pay there too. Any questions, ask Cliff or any board member about membership. Invite a friend to our Zoom meetings to check us out. This month’s program will be hosted by Gary Kieft covering the topic of “Man Overboard”. It’s always good to know safety first. Lastly, the April membership meeting will be Thursday April 8th at 6:30 PM. The Zoom meeting link will be sent out about a week before the meeting, so be looking for it.
Next Upcoming Event – Club Meeting April 8th, 6:30pm
Mark Graas – Vice Commodore
Lady’s Day Sail FREE Sunday May 23 8am-Noonish Chatfield Reservoir
To all you wonderful Salty Dog Ladies, you sail free Sunday May 23 8-Noonish at Chatfield Reservoir. Bring Lunch and Something to share. Meet at 8:00 AM Chatfield South end boat ramp parking lot for cash payment, boat prep and boat signup. Depart at 9:00 AM. The cost is free for Salty Dog Ladies and $15 for others. Email Coordinator, Mark mgraas@yahoo.com, for your commitment of Captain and Boat or Crew Member. Less than 48-hour cancellation fee of $15 in effect charged to all no shows including free ladies.
2021 Salty Dog Upcoming and Past Presentations
See Gary’s snippet in this newsletter about April’s presentation.
-Mark Graas, before all main presentations, funny story/sailing rules/knots, 5 min.
-Jim Schoendaller March 11th “Unexpected Rough Weather, Vital Sail Bag” 20 min.
-Gary Kieft April 8th presentation “Man Overboard”.
-John Venema May 13th “Caption a Charter Boat and ASA Courses”, 30 min.
-Marilyn Allen October 14th “Sailing and Diving the Virgin Islands”, 20 min.
Cliff Randall – Membership Report
We are currently at 27 members renewed. Not bad considering current events. Hopefully with the weather warming more people will start thinking about sailing.
I would like to encourage those of you that have not renewed your 2021 membership to do so now, sailing starts 17 April. You can renew here: https://www.saltydog.org/membership/.
We currently have orders for eight hoodies, minimum order is 12. If you would like to order one, assorted colors can be seen at Gildan.com, search hooded sweatshirt 18500. You can pick any color but the ink for logo on back of sweatshirt will be either white or dark blue. Contact me at Cliffrandall@hotmail.com. I will need your size, color of sweatshirt, ink color for logo, and your payment of $30.00 payable to Salty Dogs. Please mail payment to Cliff Randall at 7835 Nelson St, Arvada 80005.
Andrea Lewis – Dry Land Coordinator:
Come join us on Saturday 10th April at 3pm – Address: 5150 Windermere St, Littleton CO 80120
Colorado Journey Miniature Golf is fun for all ages. Two, 18-hole courses feature some of Colorado’s most famous attractions. Putt your way through the wonders of Mesa Verde, hike along the Conestoga Pass, and experience the Florissant Fossil Beds. Natural elements like native flora, rock formations, streams and ponds engage your senses and add to the experience. Recent recognition in Westword’s 2018 Best of Denver awards as “Best Miniature Golf for Newbies” puts Colorado Journey at the top of their game.
We may add an impromptu dinner if people are comfortable. Please let me know if you are coming so I can ensure we have enough groups and feel free to call, text or email with any questions. dryland@saltydog.org
Gary Kieft – Member/Coordinator
April Presentation – Man Overboard – 4/8/21 6:30pm
Thanks to Vice-Commodore Mark’s proposal and his requisite prodding of Gary, at some time during the meeting you will be able to follow along my presentation on the good ol’ topic of “Man Overboard!!!!” Gary hopes to find more things we haven’t heard a dozen times prior that will keep you entertained, and help you, or someone else, get back on board!
In my internet research I read that “It’s all too easy to discuss man overboard theory and practice”, so I will evaluate the various and opposing methods and opinions out there and find some novel facets to present to you hungry nautical pupils! – See you there, Bowman Gary
Marilyn Allen – Past Commodore/Coordinator
First Salty Dog Sail – 4/17/21 11:30am
JOIN US for the First Salty Dog sail of the Season! It’s scheduled for Saturday, April 17 at Chatfield.
We’ll meet at the picnic tables on the dock right next to Seagull’s restaurant at 11:30 and be on the water by about 12:30. Plan to sail for 3-4 hours at the Captain’s discretion. Once we have enough paid reservations to cover donations to boat owners, I’ll determine if we have enough money left over to provide snacks or if I’ll ask participants to bring some munchies to share. Be sure to bring your own non-alcoholic beverage for before and during the sail and anything else you might want to partake in once we’re at the dock. Club policy states no alcoholic beverages until we’re all safely at the dock with the same number of participants we left with! Remember, as a Salty Dog crew member, you’re expected to help rig and de-rig the boat and participate in the sailing itself. If you’re new to the sport, more experienced members will be happy to help you get acquainted with sailing.
Plan to dress in layers with a warm, waterproof jacket and possibly a warm hat or neck gator. Be sure to bring sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, non-marking shoes and your own water. Sailing gloves (or gardening gloves) are nice to have when pulling lines. Masks will be required while we’re gathering on the dock and may be required on the boat at the Captain’s discretion. To maintain social distancing, we’ll be limiting the number of passengers.
We have two Why Buy boats committed and would love an owner boat or two. Boat owners, let me know if you might be available.
Cost is $15 for members and guests pay $22.50 (1.5% of the member cost). Your online payment will be your reservation. Link to pay is: https://www.saltydog.org/shop/. In addition to paying on-line, please email me at homesbyma@gmail.com to let me know you’ll be attending so I can balance the number of boats to crew. Since this is an early season sail, I expect we’ll have a limited number of boats available, so the sail will fill up fast. Sign up soon and we’ll see you on the water!
Dave Westfall – Member/Coordinator
Boat Ready Day – 4/24/21 10:00am-3:00pm
The First Boat Ready Day (formerly Boat Wash) has been scheduled for Saturday, April 24th from 10am-3pm at Chatfield. We’ll meet at the Picnic Shelter south of the Marina Restrooms. This is a work day for Volunteers to help the Boat Owners get our “Fleet” ready for the 2021 Sailing Season. Yes, we’ll be washing the boats, but there are many other things that our Captains need help with like: removing tarps, raising masts, rigging sails, cleaning cabins, repairing fiberglass, installing batteries, gassing up, starting engines, installing electronics, etc. So, if you are interested in donating your time to show appreciation for our Boat Owners, then wear your work clothes, bring your masks, and something to drink. The Club will provide sandwiches and chips. The Marina store should also be open for drinks by then. Progress permitting, there may also be some short check out sails later in the day. To volunteer or to bring your boat, email me at dave@davewestfall.com.
Cindie Sandlin – Member
Ahoy! I will be racing with CSYC this year on Wednesday evenings and am looking for ladies who are interested in crewing. Ideally, I will have two permanent crew members and a list of substitutes that can fill in or just join us once a month. There will be calendar for those who only want to come out occasionally. Please let me know if you are interested. You can call/text me at 303-909-0354. Racing starts April 21st.