05/18 - 05/20 - 2018 Friday Harbor CBGT

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 8:14 pm Post subject:

Sorry Catman. Yeah, this thread has woven thru a few other topics! lol.

colbysmith · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 8:38 pm Post subject:

Dragging this thread back to the Friday Harbor Bash. I'm leaving here in 2 weeks for the drive out, and wonder what kind of schedule is planned! Are there any side trips during the day? Or is most the time spent on the dock and in town? I know of at least one couple (future C-Brats) that are coming to go for a ride, and compare the different C-Dory's! I plan on docking at FH on Thursday afternoon, so will of course try to get one of the better spots! Mr. Green

And I might as well warn you now. I'm bringing along a coloring book that I won in a silent auction at the first St. John's River gathering I attended a few years ago, and expect everyone to do some coloring. It's already got 15 pages colored from CBG's I've attended. I've already got two pages in it picked out for this gathering!
Looking forward to meeting many more of you West Coasters, and getting some more "tidal" experience! Colby

localboy · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 8:42 pm Post subject:

localboy · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 8:44 pm Post subject:

We will be returning from out of country that week. I may leave early, solo, then return to pick up the Admiral...may....

Gene Morris · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 9:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks Brock! You made me LOL. I was wondering when we would quit talking about launching and start talking about lunch. Everyone should be thinking about what to bring to the potluck. I love a good potluck.

Margaret

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2018 3:45 pm Post subject:

Coming over from Guemes Is on Sat. I will spend one night in town and come back home on Sunday. Not a fan of sleeping on a 16 with no canvas. Maybe I can piggy back in a slip for the night as someones dingy.

Ordutch1975 · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2018 1:07 pm Post subject:

Hi all,

So as we approach the date I need some help. I am new to how the gatherings work. My wife and I intend to take the 17th to 21st off of work for this trip. We live in Portland and either will be taking off the 16th in the evening and putting in on the 17th in the morning or leave very early and put in later in the morning on the 17th. Either way we are both excited to meet you all. The questions I have:

1. Is anyone launching on the 17th and from where that would you mind us tagging along so we can follow someone with more experience? I am not to worried about which port but coming from Portland Bellingham is a long ride - ancortes or south would be ideal.

2. Do we need to contact the harbor since we are coming a bit early?

Thanks all & look forward to meeting you. If you see a C-Dory 23 with a stressed out captain trying to dock that will be us try not to laugh too much Smile

.

Harald & Heather

hardee · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 1:34 am Post subject:

Harold, et al that are driving north on I-5. I know I am a bit biased about driving in Seattle (Which is really from Olympia MP 102 north bound to about Mt Vernon Exit ???) you can avoid some traffic hassles, take a very beautiful, peaceful and curvy route up Highway 101 to Port Townsend, and yes, you get a boat ride, well actually a ferry from Port Townsend over to Whidbey Island which will cost you about $65 for a 22 size C-Dory, but just think of that as half price on the psychologists couch fee, and remember all the neat scenery, less traffic and single lane highway instead of 3 - 5 lanes of breakneck towing on the spaghetti turnpikes.

And time wise, it will take you about the same time and you will feel more rested.

And you can thank me later. Wink

(PS: Might be a good idea to call ahead and get a WA State Ferry reservation for that little boat ride.)

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

hank clow · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 8:54 am Post subject:

We agree on the Olympic Peninsula route. Used to live in Quilcene. If the Whistling Oyster is still open you could stop for a libation.
Hank and Pat

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 10:35 am Post subject:

The potluck isn't my favorite activity on a CD 16. Maybe I could just reach under the dock and whip up a seaweed salad?

Activities I would like:

MMSI. I've never made a call, never gotten one. It would be interesting to try the C Brat broadcast MMSI. I would also like to have a better understanding of what my VHF can and can't do vis a vis distance and around obstructions.

DSC. I think I read that there as a "test" of this feature that would not bring CG helicopters to the marina. Some way to "ping" and get a response. I assume that in a real DSC event, the radio transmits to the CG and the CG then sends the Lat Lon etc, out over their repeaters to boats in the area that might not have received the DSC directly?

Radar. I've always been curious as to what I look like on various screens, assuming that I show up at all.

MOB drills. These are always interesting. Throw a plastic milk jug overboard and have the admiral solo back and retrieve it. Be sure to time it so you know how long you would be in the water.

AIS. My own personal project. I finally called Standard Horizon and got yet another possible wiring connection to try connect my Lowrance plotter to the SH AIS radio. Frustrating that NMEA-0183 has color coded wires, but each manufacturer has their own code. Sort of defeats the purpose of have the wires color coded. I've been told that I can't damage anything, but there are probably 1,000 possible combinations. At least in FH there will be active AIS boats around so that I can instantly see when and if I get it right.

One website said that, because the low-end Lowrance plotter has only one incoming Com port, I have to choose between having AIS vessels show or DSC vessels show. Another site said I could do both by simply connecting two wires to that port.

Mark

colbysmith · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 10:56 am Post subject:

MMSI and DSC. I have worked with others to experience and practice using DSC to communicate with other boats. I'm more than willing to share my knowledge. DSC is a nice tool, but it's not as simple as it should/could be. The first thing one needs to do, is read their operating manuals! At least then you have a start on knowing how to set up your own radio to make or receive a DSC call. As for hooking up a "network" to get your chartplotter to talk to your radio, that can be a PITA. Not only finding the correct wire if you have several, but then setting up the right protocol in the radio settings. I'm always willing to help, but no guarantees. Mr. Green

Anyone that would like to practice or experience using their radio's DSC capability to make a call, my MMSI is: 338131849. If you want me to work with you practicing making and receiving calls, please give me your MMSI number so I can program it into my radio's contact list. Lastly, I will have my AIS transmitter on when I'm underway, and it should be showing my MMSI along with the first part of my callsign, Midnight. (Not enough room in the system to input the complete name.) I'll likely be launching from Ladysmith on the 16th. And since AIS works with the VHF line of sight, you may not pick it up if I'm out of range.
Marc, I'm pretty sure you show up on radar. I've painted many boats your size, but distance and sea state affects the returns. I'd be more than happy to take a picture of my radar painting you, if you want to take a run out away from the docks. Smile

Very much looking forward to the gathering, and anxious to get on with my drive/tow out west. Just over a week now before I leave Wisconsin! I'm done with all my prior overthinking nonsense! lol! Colby

hardee · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 11:53 am Post subject:

I have always liked the idea of a "class or two" at the CBGT's. Seems just another good reason to be there. Have done some onofficial ones (DSC for one) and always benefited.

Mark said:

Catman · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 5:31 pm Post subject:

Ok, guys, real good. I think that'll be a big hit at the potluck.

David, delighted you can make it, and we'll squeeze you in somewhere safe. C-16, after all, long was my blood type. Harald, I'll be launching at Twin Bridges late Thursday afternoon if you want to follow me to FH. TB is six miles SE of Anacortes, north of La Conner, under the aforementioned bridge. We could hook up nearer Anacortes, unless you get a better offer.

Is it OK to talk about food? Every year folks hit a grand slam with the marvelous munchables they display. Amazingly good. I think I'm going to bring a cake. Not a sheet cake, a boring, round one. I'm concerned we're not getting enough sugar.
Cake

Ordutch1975 · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 8:12 pm Post subject:

Hi all - I got wonderful offers from the gang to tag along - I am really overwhelmed by how wonderful this community is and can’t wait to meet you all.

As to electronics - dsc - ais etc etc. I have it all but have no idea how to use it haha. I’d love a good discussion on this.