4718 South 295th Place
Auburn, WA 98001-155618
Telephone 253-941-9938 / Internet socratesREMOVE4718ATyahooDOTcom
05 April 1999
Ahoy!
It has probably not escaped your notice that warmer weather has arrived to tantalize us with the prospect of spending afternoons, evenings, and eventually days and weeks aboard our boats. For a couple of weeks Cindy has occasionally driven around with her sunroof completely open (but with a finger on the switch, just in case). Ruby and the Kelseys are pretty much ready for cruising--are you?
As some already know, I have abandoned my post as your commodore, and will be soon turn over those pleasant duties to Tim Williams* (Hip Hop). Karen Peterson (Yarns) has volunteered to help Tim as needed. Because as commodore I got far more respect than I have been accustomed to, the decision to abdicate was not an easy one--it was made for the good of the club. It's time for someone else to have his chance. I have been grateful to this wonderful group for giving me the chance to serve, and now I am grateful to Tim and Karen for taking over. The Rangers are in for a period of energetic and knowledgeable leadership, from which only good things can come. Thanks, friends!
January Breakfast
Our beginning-of-year breakfast was returned to January, and was as usual a fine morning of reacquainting ourselves with our old friends and greeting several new ones: Gene Buccholz, who owns an R-20 moored locally but who is accustomed to sailing Alaskan waters, presumably in something rather larger; Teresa Kasner (Stargazer) of the Kent Ranger 26 Roundup (WWW) & a couple of crew; David Rynning, a new R-20 owner; and Kelle & Heino Sunter, who have too many boats at present. These aren't the only new folks we have been pleased to meet lately, either. 1998 was a great year! Welcome, new friends!
One of the most important things we discuss during January Breakfast is the upcoming season's cruising calendar. This summer promises to be a busy one for Rangers--we have made a schedule that is somewhat more dense than those of the past couple of years. That's fine, since last year was somewhat slim for those whose boats or motors were giving them trouble. The idea is to think of these events as opportunities, not responsibilities.
Cruising Season 1999
Date ______________________ |
Event _______________________ |
Organizer ___________________ |
May 15, 1999 |
Cutts Island |
{ Phil & Ann Rousseau (Altrice) { Steve Metz (Keptie) |
22-23 |
Poulsbo |
Karen Peterson (Yarns) |
| 29-31, Memorial Day | Gig Harbor | Metz |
| June 11-13 | Kingston or Pt. Ludlow | Jerry Mingo (Pleiades) |
| 26-27 | Winslow | Lee McMaster |
| July 1-31 | Desolation Sound | Ron Snyder & Cathy Taggett (Condesa) |
| 2-4 | Blakely Harbor | Tim & Dorothy Williams (Hip Hop) |
| 9-11 | Jarrell Cove | Jack & Bobbie Berg (Rugga Rugga) |
| 24-August 7 | National Cruise, Gulf Islands | Dick & Nan Rice (Gladness) |
| August 13-15 | TBA | |
| 27-29 | Dockton | Snyder & Taggett |
| September 3-6, Labor Day | Filucy Bay | Rousseau |
| 10-12 | Lake Washington/Kirkland | Ernie Seevers & Mary Perkins (Mary Victoria) |
| 17-19 | Blake Island | Phil Melberg (Quintessence) |
Cruising Calendar Notes
Cutts Island is a State Marine Park in Carr inlet. Migael Scherer's excellent book notes hazards at the island's south tip and a long sandspit "that almost connects it with Raft Island." The state maintains two mooring buoys in deep water off Kopachuck State Park, and nine more east of Cutts Island. East of these buoys Scherer reports good holding ground. We can land at either Kopachuck beach or on Cutts.
The island was once called "Deadman's Island." (You don't want to know.)
For further information call (or send e-mail to) organizers Phil & Ann Rousseau (360-426-3234) or Steve Metz (253-851-3114).
This weekend comes with an invitation from organizer Metz to join him Saturday evening for a BBQ at his home. Call him with your intentions.
Last year's D.S. flotilla reported great beauty, solitude, and serenity. Ron & Cathy are experienced guides to this location, so check with them early.
We (i.e., Jerry) haven't decided yet. Ludlow is a long way. In the past we have gone there over a long holiday weekend, of which this isn't one.
National Cruise
Several have expressed keen interest in (again) sailing among the Canadian Gulf Islands. The partial skeleton of an early draft itinerary appears below. Dick Rice is our organizer; he would like to know who is interested, and would like to begin as early as possible making a list of potential participants. Contact him by telephone or e-mail with your boat's name, length & beam, and shore power preference just as soon as it occurs to you that you would like to go.
There is just something about the Gulf Islands--the scenery and consumer-products packaging are both vaguely exotic in ways that remind us that we aren't quite in our own neighborhoods, without threatening us with the need to get along in an unfamiliar language, or learn new customs, or even reset our timepieces.
Note that there is no necessity for your staying with the group, nor even for spending the entire two weeks at it. Past practice runs the gamut from the whole two weeks, every day and night with the group to a single week with the group or a few days with, a few days away, then back. Whatever. This is no more a high-discipline thing than is anything else we do, so each boat can hang its own idea of the perfect onboard vacation, its own recreational running rigging, onto the standing rigging Dick and his consultants have begun:
Saturday, July 24, 1999, Blakely Island Marina
Sunday, Prevost Harbor, Stuart Island
Monday, Bedwell and on to Otter Bay
Tuesday, Ganges
Wednesday, Montague
Thursday, Telegraph Harbor
Friday, Telegraph Harbor
Saturday, Maple Bay
Sunday, Brentwood Bay
Monday, Brentwood Bay
Tuesday, Fulford Harbor
Wednesday, ?
Very Big News (Rumor)
The biggest news is as yet only hearsay, since I haven't confirmed it. However, because it came to me from at least two directions, I am inclined to believe it. I shall leave it to someone else to confirm and to fill in additional details.
The Ranger Boat Co. has apparently been sold, and some familiar Ranger personnel are no longer around. The buyers have familiar names.
I am sorry to be so cryptic, but in absence of confirmation, this is the most I dare publish about the purchasers. Word has it that the people who will run Ranger are interested in "improving customer relations" or words to that effect. It's too early to speculate about whether the new owners might try putting our beloved sailboats back into production; this really does seem rather unlikely.
Apparently this has happened just in the last month or so. Very interesting.
Boats For Sale
Some of these listings are months old:
(1) Brian Carnahan (360-568-5236 home; 360-568-9533 office) has a 1976 R-20 to sell. 5 sails: main, 155% genoa, working jib, storm jib; all sails very good condition. Spinnaker pole. Honda 7.5 h.p. twin OB with charging, on stainless bracket. Large Danforth anchor. Bow & stern rails with lifelines. Lights. Dodger, curtain, & tonneau. Good cushions. Hull color white with orange stripes. Trailer in excellent condition--never in salt water; in fresh water only 6 times. $4500. Lying at Hi-Seas Boat Sales, Everett (Tim @ 425-339-9469).
(2) We are interested in selling our Ranger 20 if you know of an interested party. It is in nice cond. with an auto pilot, cockpit cushions and trailer. $3500. Jeff Roth 4271238 or KAVANAHremove@aol.com
(3) 1981 Ranger 20 (#469) with EZ Loader trailer, 6 sails (main, working jib, storm jib, light and heavy 150 genoas and cruising spinnaker), whisker pole, 7.5 HP Honda outboard with charger, NEW cuddy cover, NEW dodger with backdrop, knotmeter and compass. Has mast-raising gin pole setup, upgraded running rigging plus lower side shrouds mod and running backstays added. Berth cushions, anchor and many accessories included. Light blue hull. All in excellent condition (sailed mostly on fresh water)!! $4500. Scott Mathews 425-348-5523 Home or 425-356-3080 Office.
(4) Ranger 20: Main, jib, Genoa, spinnaker, new compass, dodger w/curtain, boom tent, cushions, trailer. 4 h.p. Evinrude longshaft OB negotiable. Joe Robel, 360-943-3861.
The World-Wide Web
The last time we spoke, I claimed to be working on a web site for the club. After being stalled for a time due to disk space limitations on my old online service (ISP; internet service provider), my new ISP's more generous disk allocation should permit progress to resume. I hope that I can have something interesting and useful in place before the busiest part of the cruising season arrives. Opening will be announced via e-mail.
Ranger 26s
Several of us have been in occasional contact with Teresa Kasner, organizer of the Ranger Roundup, which brings together owners of the Kent Ranger 26. We were pleased to have Teresa visit us for January Breakfast, where she told the assembled body about her group, her e-mailed newsletter, and her online activities, which include both a web site and a regular chat event. For more information, contact her at TeresaREMOVECCC@TalkCity.com or visit her Web site at http://home.talkcity.com/GalleryDr/teresaccc/ .
Teresa told her newsletter subscribers about her visit with us, and she made us sound pretty good. Apparently she meant the kind things she said, because she has paid 1999 membership dues.
Paying Dues
Don't neglect to pay your 1999 membership dues. John Muirhead (Double Eagle) has professed to being satisfied, for the time being anyway, in his role as Treasurer-for-Life. Send him a check for $10 made out to our old name (the name by which the bank has become comfortable identifying us), "Ranger 20 Racing & Cruising Association." Please include a separate slip of paper on which you have noted your name and your boat's name, colors, and sail #. Thanks.
Some Closing Thoughts
I have seen and have heard about other clubs--groups centered on both boating and other issues. At risk of seeming maudlin during these last few minutes of my term of office, I wish to observe that I have never known a group of people who were as accepting, as warm, as tolerant (an important trait if they are to have me as commodore for more than about five minutes), and as friendly to newcomers as this group has repeatedly shown itself to be. Interest in the boat, even boats as good as Rangers, would simply not be sufficient to explain why this is such an appealing group to which to belong. It's the people who matter most, and these people have formed such a warm family that visitors just naturally want to join. This is why we have so many new faces, and why these new folks so soon after joining belong.
Not all changes are for the better. Some of our "remote" members have wandered off. Some of the racers have lost interest in the group, and some have even sold their boats. I hope to be instrumental in remediation, should that be possible.
I worry that some may wonder about why their club is being led by sailors of craft other than R-20s. Very plainly put, it is of course because that's who has been most active, but this may not be apparent from the fringes. I very much hope that those whose personal interests lie in maintaining the group's focus on the R-20 will assert their interests energetically. Those of us who have moved up to larger boats are very happy that we don't have to leave, because we love the people. We want nobody to feel that the "little boats" are being crowded out.
We have listings for boats & owners in fourteen U.S. states on three coasts, in between the coasts, and even far off the Pacific coast! I worry that members in other localities may wander off because they feel that we have nothing to offer them. The least we could do would be to assist them in finding one another, and I am interested in participating in such a project. Providing an engaging newsletter is another thing we could do, and I confess to being part of the problem in that regard. In recent years we have largely failed to provide cruising accounts and logs to make the letter interesting. I accept blame, and I hope others will join me in promising to volunteer materials for inclusion in future newsletters. Obtaining and forwarding such materials has in the past been part of each cruise organizer's duties; it should be restored as one of the very few discipline issues that the club wishes to enforce. Permit me to repeat that I do accept blame for the current state of affairs.
None of this changes the observable fact that this is a fine little community, as measured against virtually any kind of scale having to do with boats & people and ignoring such peripheral issues as docks, dining rooms, social standing in the larger community, or any of the cliché Yacht Club things.
My Thanks
In the past I have made a number of unsuccessful attempts to belong to several different kinds of groups.
When I was young, I was a church-goer. I didn't feel that I belonged, however, because I was increasingly annoyed by its agenda (most of which seemed dedicated to making me feel unworthy), by its constant appeals for money, by its insistence that there were certain rules that had to be followed lest I forfeit my immortal soul, and by the idea that even the wind comes from God. There was never any doubt about who was in charge. I left in self-defense.
In college I joined the men's music students and professionals fraternity. Its meetings came to seem almost exclusively dedicated to wrangling over the group's agenda, competing for assets, arguing over rules, and (sometimes musically and sometimes not) breaking wind. Everyone wanted to be president. I left in disgust.
A short time after Cindy and I moved here from Kansas City in 1984 I joined the world's largest computer user group, which had thousands of members worldwide. After a time, it seemed that the group's meetings were completely dedicated to disputes over agendae, assets, and rules, and to windbags. The president was an authoritarian type who was nevertheless unable to do anything useful. I left and took a small number of the best people with me.
Now, I find myself in a very different situation: I am a happy member of a group that has an agenda I can understand, practically no assets, and virtually no rules, and who (to come full circle) thanks God every time a warm wind blows. Weirder, there is so little interest in the commodore's position that without lifting a finger I have held it three times. Although I could not in good conscience keep any longer the office I have so happily held for these three years, I have no plans to leave the club.
Thanks, Rangers!
That's the news as I understand it, and a little something for which nobody asked.
See you soon. Until then--
Fair winds!
Mark Kelsey_
Ordinary Member, Kent Ranger Sailing Association
Greetings from the Commodore
Kent Ranger Sailing Association
Tim Williams, Commodore
Telephone 206-298-9527 Internet TimREMOVEWilliams@Prodigy.net
Greetings to all returning and new Ranger 20 sailors and enthusiasts - big boaters as well! Now that our wedding day is behind us, we are turning our thoughts to sailing. It is hard to believe that it is April already and for some of us, the season has already begun. Dorothy and I are hopeful that the worst of the weather is behind us and that GREAT sailing weather is not that far away -- after all, skiing season is winding down and we are getting anxious to get out on the water. Actually, with the snow that we've had this winter, we are still planning on at least one more trip to Whistler and THEN we can begin seriously thinking about sailing. The January 'kick off' breakfast this year was once again a great success thanks to Mark's fine efforts. The cruising schedule was tentatively set and will be mailed to all members (Note that an e-mail version is ready now that could be sent). I'm very excited about the sailing schedule of local outings and especially the summer cruise back into the Canadian Gulf Islands. Remember that it is always advisable to contact the trip leader well in advance of any outing you wish to attend to see if anything has changed. I'm impressed with the number of volunteers willing to devote their time and efforts to put together fun outings and if you haven't tried any of these "cruises", you are missing out on some of the best of times.
Dorothy and I managed to get out on "Hip Hop" for three sails and one sail on Bobby and Sheryl's "Loon"--all in March. We're off to a great start and hope to see each of you on the water soon.
Fair winds to all, Tim/Dorothy