Opening Day 2013

[GregJ]

Sean, The first few times I did the parade it was a blast and may do it again someday soon but for now I just don't want to deal with all the hassles of getting there, and waiting for several hours for our turn to go through the cut. I have never seen the parade as a spectator so if I go at all it will be as an observer. I totally recommend that if anyone is thinking of partisapating in this parade to do it . It is well worth it especially if you have kids.

[Skagitguy]

..............

[Seanfromseattle]

Well, I'll have 3 kids onboard, all lined up to salute the Admiral.

Yes, it's alot of waiting around in portage bay, but we even had a great time seeing all the boats waiting there. My son especially liked the steam whistles from the steamies. And I found that with enough beverages and snacks, lounging around on the water was still a lot of fun. Of course if it was pouring down rain, that wouldn't be as much fun... Last year, after we tied up after passing through the cut, the parade was off our bow, and behind us we saw a mature bald eagle roosting on a halfsubmerged deadfall, and I remember thinking it just doesn't get much better than that.

Maybe next year, I'll be the official 'host'...

Brian, and anybody else that gets the urge to join in, I've got an email out to some of my other boating friends, to hopefully save us a spot on the south side of the cut after the pass through to raft up together. If that doesn't work, since it looks like I'll be first through in H, I'll try to save you a spot to tie up to me. If that works for you. Are you going to bring the big boat and take your little one? I'll have a 1, 3, and 4yr old onboard! Talk about introducing the next generation to boating! Lets coordinate when we get a little closer...

[slo-mo]

parade float...

Like Sean, we have registered for the parade as a single boat in class H, process is very easy. Theme is Hawaiian Magic.
http://www.seattleyachtclub.org/defa...d=164134&vnf=1

Greg

P.S. keep on rockin Mattson!

[Skagitguy]

Gee Brian, why don't you throw some mud as well at all of the NWCBC members when you said," this was a major factor in our decision to start participating with them (ACBS ) instead of leading NWCBC ". Do you recall what went on when you lead our group for two of the years ? I do and some others also still do? How quick we forget. As far as some of the regulars, they have moved on for one reason or another. Have a nice time. Your buddy,Chuck

[slo-mo]

express lane....

Registering as a single boat in class H (classic power under 40'), solves a few issues that made this gathering unappealing to me...allowing us to go through earlier while spectators are still spectating...reduced need to adorn our cool classics with boat costumes in order to win something....and no need for a leader.

Problem solved! With my tendency to be tardy, I probably wont make it through from Lake Washington anyway.

Greg

[Seanfromseattle]

Yeah, we've got another! ....


Greg, I'll PM my cellphone to everyone who is planing on going, closer to May 4, but otherwise look for me bobing around in Portage Bay flying my burgee. Last year, I was the last boat in H class, and I really liked that position, so I'll aim for that again. It gave me a little more manuvering room.

Tim, You still got a boat?

[Tim_Mattson]

Hey Sean,
I did until yesterday,sold the fleetform......making room for possibly another project but still have a Hi-Laker to deal with and a little green mahogeny "Dragonfly" I`ve been farming out in back too long(my only "true" classic) but it has done submarine duty on Lk Union(not I) so needs some flotation before I`ll test my luck.Maybe I`ll trade Marty for something bigger.
Hope to join the fun,may opt for the north boom or possibly at some friend`s in Hamlin Cove.....a super cool little cove right at start of parade.
TM

[Bflaherty]

Gee Brian, why don't you throw some mud as well at all of the NWCBC members when you said," this was a major factor in our decision to start participating with them (ACBS ) instead of leading NWCBC ". Do you recall what went on when you lead our group for two of the years ? I do and some others also still do? How quick we forget. As far as some of the regulars, they have moved on for one reason or another. Have a nice time. Your buddy,Chuck

As a matter of fact I do remember how those two years went...

The club had several excited members throwing several costume ideas around and we were gaining excitment as we got closer to parade day... Then suddenly a small contingent of grumpy all men came on and veto'd every costume idea we had for one reason or another. Then on parade day those same grumpy old men showed up with beautiful boats with no decorations or costumes of any kind... Thus NWCBC has never even earned honorable mention from the Seattle Yacht Club, because we entered the spirit class, yet had boats showing no spirit for the parade and it's theme...
http://www.classicboatclub.com/forum...t=opening+2011
http://www.classicboatclub.com/forum...t=opening+2011

Now, in all fairness, the last year I lead the club into the parade some of those same "grumpy old men" did actually pay for and display the decorations we had supplied for the club and I felt really good about how coordinated our club was. Unfortunately there was some confusion in the parade when our time came and we were disqualified from awards for some things that were beyond our control...

I still have hopes that NWCBC can someday get back into the parade as a club but for now we are participating with a club that better matches mine (and my crew's) enthusiasm for the whole idea of a themed parade..

For the record, in my earlier post, it was not my intention to "throw mud" at the club or any of it's members.

[Tim_Mattson]

Brian,
I know you will be having a great time and continuing a family tradition that obviously is huge in your life.A newborn makes it all seem even more important.
Keep soaring like an Eagle!
Thanx for sharing your spirit (and time)while you`ve been able to put up with us.
TimM

[slo-mo]

Greg, I'll PM my cellphone to everyone who is planing on going, closer to May 4, but otherwise look for me bobing around in Portage Bay flying my burgee. Last year, I was the last boat in H class, and I really liked that position, so I'll aim for that again.

10-4 Sean, we'll be the last boat through the cut before it closes at 9:40. Launching at Magnuson or Sayres.

Greg

[Seanfromseattle]

In that case you will likely beat me into Portage Bay since I always launch from Ballard. Does anybody know if anchoring in Portage Bay is allowed on opening day?

[Tim_Mattson]

Sean ,
You`d need to sneak way over to Hamlin Cove and there it is shallow and sheltered.5-8` is all it is ,gets warm in summer and I saw boats come,anchor,swim and repeat all day long in summer.
I am trying to secure a dock for some to tie-up to from one of the Floating houseboats there ,within site of the parade entry buoys.
Don`t know if truly legal to anchor in Portage Bay,though I suspect not ok at all in middle of the Cut.
Follow the south shore to foot of Hamlin Ave. where the Houseboats form a cozy cove.
TM

[Bflaherty]

Anchoring in Portage Bay is definitely not legal during opening day. Harbor patrol has their small inflatables zipping around watching everyone in the staging area...

I don't think its ever legal in the middle since that is an official water way for comercial traffic. As far as I know the only place you can legally anchor is the south end of the lake in front of the center for wooden boats and I believe that is only allowed on holidays (like new years and 4th of July). I am pretty sure there are underwater cables and powerlines in portage bay...

[DMCI]

Anchoring in Portage Bay is definitely not legal during opening day. Harbor patrol has their small inflatables zipping around watching everyone in the staging area...

Well if you can't anchor, you can always tie up to a buoy or raft to somebody that's already tied up to one.

(Serious reply not required.:nono1