Website: http://www.cps-ecp.ca/princegeorge/

COMMANDER’ S CORNER

Hello Prince George Power & Sail Squadron members. I hope

everyone had a wonderful summer. I have noticed, in the past week or so, that many of our members are bringing their boats back from the

ocean, that obviously means the end of another boating season. My status has changed this summer, from boat-less, to boat owner, as we

became part owners of a sailboat. September 7-9 was the date of the second annual Fall Family

Fun Festival, and again this year the weather was fabulous. Friday evening's campfire was blanketed from horizon to horizon with millions

of stars. It was reported that a few of the participants stayed until the early morning hours practising their celestial navigation skills or

something. The children spent the early part of Saturday afternoon

participating in water games, treasure hunts, and other fun activities. Later the adults had their events. Archie Everall and Sandy Cherry won the Horseshoe tournament while George Brookes and Lori Bernhardt

won the Cornhole event. I thought the pot-luck dinner was outstanding. The Saturday bonfire didn't last as long as the Friday night one, but was

great. Sunday morning was somewhat breezy and the decision was

made to cancel the dinghy races. Many thanks to Lori and her

committee. Last night was the first regular bridge meeting after the

summer break. Planning for the upcoming Boating Course and possibly

a fall potluck are on the immediate agenda. The National Convention

will be held in Edmonton in mid-October and I plan to attend. In closing, I would like to ask all our members to encourage any of your friends, who are current or future boaters, to consider our

upcoming Boating Course. I am confident they will learn a lot, meet

some great people, and enjoy themselves.

Prince George Power & Sail Squadron Icebreaker

September 2012

2012 Calendar of Events

♦ November - Tentative Pot Luck TBA ♦ January 7, 2013 - CPS Boating

Course begins at Civic Centre ♦ March 25, 28 & April 1 - Maritime

Radio (VHF/DSC) Course at Civic Centre

Change of Venue for Monthly Squadron Coffee Get-together

J o i n t h e S q u a d ro n members for coffee at a new location - A&W on 20th Avenue. Members gather for a coffee and friendship on the last Saturday of the every

month at 10 a.m. Our next coffee gathering is on Saturday, September 29. Hope to see you there!!

PAST COMMANDERS 1984 - 1985 Gordon Springate

1985 - 1986 John Turner

1986 - 1987 Doug Mears

1987 Bob McChesney

1987 - 1989 John Sahlstrand

1989 - 1990 Bob Clayton

1990 - 1992 George Brookes

1992 - 1994 Grant Olsen

1994 - 1996 Gary Shannon

1996 - 1997 Neil Symons

1997 - 1999 Jim McNeal

1999 - 2001 Lou Jewitt

2001 - 2003 Barry Smith

2003 - 2005 Willi Wagner

2005 - 2007 Jim Dorval

2007 - 2009 Trudy Langthorne

2009 - 2011 Doug Cherry

LIFE MEMBERS: (Members with 20+ years of Merit Marks)

1984 - Gordon Springate

2004 - George Brookes

2011 - Gary Shannon

Bridge Members 2012/2013 Commander - Bill McFarlin - 250-563-7463

Executive Officer - Bruce Porteous - 250-617-7034

Training Officer - Bruce Porteous - 250-617-7034

Ass’t Training Officer - Barry Smith - 250-964-9126

Secretary - Judi Shannon - 250-612-0851

Treasurer - Paulette Valois - 250-964-2723

Public Relations - Vic Goodman - 250-564-4596

Membership - Robert Kroeker - 250-562-9552

Communications - Judy Smith - 250-964-9126

Supplies - Greig Taylor - 250-562-1757

Publications - Judy Smith - 250-964-9126

Socials - George Hackle - 250-596-1486

Fishing Derby - Trent Allen - 250-596-0606

Proctors - Gayle Hebb - 250-963-7111

Advanced Courses - George Brookes - 250-563-3855

Historian - Trevor Burtenshaw - 250- 614-3178

Administration - Maggie Stoner - 250-330-4249

MAREP - Gary Shannon - 250-612-0851

Phoning Committee - Maggie Stoner - 250-330-4249

Webmaster - Barry Smith - 250-964-9126

Port Captain - Jim McNeal - 250-563-4228

Environment - Mike Maguire - 250-964-7481

Past Commander - Doug Cherry - 250-962-9460

Member at Large - John Hebb - 250-963-7111

Member at Large - Steve Fulljames - 250-564-1031

Member at Large - Bill Koocher - 250-967-4818

Member at Large - Luanne Koocher - 250-967-4818

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SQUADRON MEMBERSHIP

The Prince George Power & Sail Squadron

currently has 325 members.

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Fall Family Fun Festival at Francois

This year’s Fall Family Fun Festival, held on September 8th and 9th at Francois Lake,

was another Squadron event enjoyed by all who attended. A big thank you to Bonnie

and Martin at Francois Lake Lodge who allowed us to host yet another great event!

There were 44 adults and 10 children in attendance, making the weekend quite

enjoyable. We started the event off with songs around the campfire Friday night.

On Saturday, the weather cooperated very nicely for all the activities for the children

and the adults. The children enjoyed a variety of games including relay races, bean

bag and ball toss. Face painting was a hit as well as the sack race. The greatest time

had by the kids was the scavenger hunt and the sponge water fight – particularly

“gang up on the clown”! We had a great turn out for kids again this year: 10 kids

from ages 4-12 plus a few teens.

The adults chose between the Corn Hole Toss or Horseshoes which made the time-keeping a bit easier to

manage and enjoy. However, some did double duty as there were a few who registered for the games

but went fishing/cruising instead – enjoying the great warm sunny weather and calm water! The

Horseshoe Tournament was won by Sandy Cherry and Archie Everall; the Corn Hole

Tournament was won by Lori Bernhardt and George Brookes. Thanks to Barry Smith

for making our Corn Hole Winner Trophy.

The Saturday night Potluck was fabulous, as always; we have a lot of great cooks out

there!

Sunday’s Continental Breakfast also seemed to have a good turn out, and another great

opportunity to visit with each other on a quieter basis!

Sunday brewed up some darker clouds, wind and rough water which made the dingy races look a bit

dicey! It would not do to risk the safety of everyone so unfortunately that event was cancelled.

All in all, it was a terrific weekend had by all, whether one likes to just sit and visit or join in with the activities.

Report written by Lori Bernhardt (thanks Lori) Thanks to Lori Bernhardt and George Brookes for organizing this event and to all the people who helped make our 2nd Fall Family Fun Festival another great success!

More pictures on next page

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Fall Family Fun Festival - continued

Photos by Barry & Judy Smith

and Judi Shannon

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Croatia – The Best Kept Secret

The trip to Croatia began as a mere suggestion and ended as a marvelous adventure a couple of years later. World travelers Martin and Trudy Langthorne suggested renting a sail boat somewhere in the Mediterranean. Alec and Diane MacLeod and Jim and Kathy Dorval jumped at the chance for such a unique kind of trip. Although not sailors, they were willing to try such an adventure. The location of Croatia was chosen due to its wonderfully protected waters, 1000’s of islands and less expensive rentals. For about 6 months prior to our June 2012 departure date, there were many meetings, discussions and plans.

Martin and Jim took their international boating certification and were officially named the Captain and First Mate. We all arrived in Dubrovnik, Croatia on June 12th to spend a couple of days exploring the old walled city. Jim and Kathy flew in from Italy where they had spent two weeks touring. Alec and Diane, as well as Martin and Trudy had spent a few days exploring other regions of Croatia so they were more familiar with the currency and some of the customs. After a brief stop in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina we were off to the coastal town of Sibenik to pick up our catamaran for two weeks of sailing the Adriatic Sea. Provisioning any boat is a big job, but even more challenging in a foreign country and in a foreign language. Thankfully, the Croatian people were most welcoming and willing to communicate with signs and pointing when their English was limited and our Croatian nonexistent. Our Lagoon 380 catamaran, the Fabiano was roomy with four staterooms, two heads, a great kitchen and lots of seating in the salon and cockpit. With the help of many local markets, we were able to have almost all our meals on the boat and ended up with some really gourmet feasts. We headed north through the Kornati National Park as far as Sali on the island of Dugiotok. This was a less populated area and we saw some incredible sights that made us realize just how long these islands had been influenced by humans with their sheep fences, olive groves and fig trees. Many of these islands were semi-barren, yet amazingly beautiful. We were able to anchor out at night in small bays with only a few other boaters. The water was warm and very clear. Our days quickly fell into the routine of a swim before breakfast, then some exploring or travel, a stop and swim at lunch and then more adventure. Our days ended with great meals, a few cocktails and of course, another swim. We had time for some sailing when the winds were right and even had an informal race with another cat and a monohull. Unfortunately a miscalculation ended what looked like a clear win as we were doing an impressive 9kts. Our boat’s weather station kept saying “Rain Tomorrow” but it proved to be inaccurate as we had two weeks of exceptional weather where we woke up to 25°c and went to bed in the high 30°c’s.

(continued on next page)

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After a quick maintenance stop back in Sibenik, we headed south to the islands of Brac, Hvar and Vis. Each of these islands was unique with both more vegetation and people. The Island of Hvar had vastly different towns on alternate sides with the small town of Stari Grad on the north and the large town of Hvar on the south where we saw many large yachts from all over Europe. We then headed back north to Sibenik where we returned the boat and then travelled to the old coastal town of Trogir to catch our flights home. At the end of our cruise we were all lamenting the fact that we only had two weeks on the boat. This was truly a special adventure with magnificent scenery, welcoming locals and the companionship of good friends. Each one of us is quick to state we would do it again “in a heartbeat” as it was the trip of a lifetime.

Martin and Trudy Langthorne Jim and Kathy Dorval

Alec and Diane McLeod

More pictures on next page

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Croatia, continued

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N O T E

Thanks so much to the crew of Fabiano for sharing their cruising story and pictures to the Icebreaker. We encourage all our Squadron members to submit your boating/fishing/cruising stories to Judy Smith at

bjsmith@telus.net. The stories can be of great experiences and/or adventures, funny things that happen, rescues

or being rescued, or mishaps - and don’t worry - the Bent Prop Award has been retired so you don’t have to keep all those not so great stories a secret anymore! Even the mishaps are a good learning experience for other

boaters too in our pursuit of teaching safe boating for all!

Did you buy/sell your boat this year and need to license or transfer ownership of your vessel? Transport Canada has contracted Service Canada to manage the vessel licensing system. You need your bill of sale. If the vessel has already been licensed, you will also need the vessel license signed off by the original owner. The law requires that you carry a copy of the vessel license on board your vessel. CPS suggests that you take a copy of the original, laminate it and keep it in a safe place on board. Keep the original in a safe location at home. Do not laminate the original as you have to be able to assign it to a new owner if you sell your vessel.

Did you know……

• A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes, individually.

• The cruise liner, QE II, moves only six inches for each gallon of diesel that it burns.

• The word “typewriter” is the longest word that can be made using the letters only on one row of the keyboard. (All you typists are going to test this out!)

YOUR GPS: A reminder regarding the operation of your GPS, please note that in 2013, there will be a new satellite system. Your current GPS will not work on the new system. The present system will be turned off in 2020. Both systems will be in operation until that time.

If you wish to advertise your boat or your

used marine equipment in the Icebreaker or on our

website, send an email to bjsmith@telus.net along

with a digital photo and description.

This is available free of charge to Squadron

members.

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FOR SALE 42 ft Navigator, 250 Diesels, 2 staterooms, 2 baths, sleeps 6

Generator/ hot water Inverter / 8 house batteries, 2 start batteries

Bow Thruster / battery Full canvas

11 ft dinghy / 9.9 Nissan Full galley

Wabasto furnace Full electronics

Prawn puller, traps, downriggers / ready for fishing! Barbeque

Moorage, full or part time in Comox

Asking $259,000.00 For info call: 1-250-613-8841 or email roeboat3@hotmail.com

The Icebreaker is produced and distributed by Judy

Smith. If you have any questions or would like to see

specific items of interest in the Icebreaker, please

contact Judy at 250-964-9126 or email her at

bjsmith@telus.net. Your stories are appreciated.

The Icebreaker newsletter is produced and

distributed by Judy Smith, Publications Officer. If you

have any questions or would like to see specific items

of interest in the Icebreaker, please contact Judy at

250-964-9126 or email her at bjsmith@telus.net.

Your boating stories are also appreciated - share

your experiences!

Page 10

Our Squadron is pleased to recognize the businesses that support us, as shown on the pages of

this Icebreaker newsletter. Please remember to support them!

Chinook Scaffold Systems Ltd.

Dodd Hareuther, General Manager 9189 National Place, Prince George, BC

Telephone: 250-562-0600 Fax: 250-563-1655

If you would like to advertise

your business in our Squadron newsletter,

please call Judy at 250-964-9126

or email at bjsmith@telus.net