Captain’s Report on the HAPS Annual Dinner and Meeting, 2017

“I would categorize the annual dinner weekend a huge success.  Friday November 3, I got underway about 1200 in heavy snow and light winds from Bremerton Yacht Club headed for Brownsville about 10 miles away.  I received a text from Stuart that Steve and Barb in Starbright would be the only other boat at the rendezvous and that all others would drive in later.  I could not raise Starbright and noting 40 kts on the anemometer and heavy snow and being single handed I made the decision to return to Bremerton Yacht Club.  Steve Stark then called and said they were ready to get underway but after my report they too decided to arrive by car instead of boat.

“Friday night at Brownsville was a very pleasant evening with Steve Stark and Barb Rosenbaum, Dave and Mary Weale, new members Chuck and Lee Jelinek, John and Kerstin Hilton, Mike and Ruth Murray, and John Veatch.  The potluck was wonderful then we watched a movie. Since Friday was Ruth’s birthday I presented her with a birthday cake and cards from other members.  Barb supplied candles for the cake as well.

“Saturday morning we had the special treat of Phil Herring and Al Fooks discussing Sailboatowners.com.  Phil founded the website originally as Hunterowners.com in 1997-98 which later evolved to a parts supply business and the present website. (Stuart has written an account of that journey here.)  Al Fooks is the new owner.  Al went to work for Hunter Marine directly out of high school and started washing boats.  It took two weeks for him to decide that he didn’t want to wash boats for a career and he was moved to production.  He then climbed the production ladder with increasing responsibility then to warranty issues and customer service.  Suffice it to say he knows our boats inside and out and as Phil says he is uniquely qualified to manage the business.  Phil’s talk was very interesting and entertaining.  Al’s talk was an insight to his life, persona and motivation.  Both Phil and Al have a passion for sailboats but Hunter is at the heart.  Al’s passion for the business and our well being was palpable.  Thanks to both of them for a most excellent two-hour presentation.  The first hour was a informal talk and the second hour they answered personal questions from many of the 25 members that attended.  Kerstin Hilton cooked three salmon quiches and a veggie quiche for lunch.  Thanks Kerstin.

“About 1330 Stuart led us through the various pictures and stories that the assembled members had accumulated during the 2017 cruising season. There was a lively discussion about anchorages and marinas.

“After the photos, we set up for the silent auction which as in years past was well supported.  This year, $503 was contributed to our HAPS bank account. Thanks to all who supported HAPS through their gifts and purchases.

“Ruth picked up our dinner from “Smokin Robinsons” and it was fabulous.  BBQ pulled pork smoked chicken, beans, cole slaw, mac and cheese plus numerous high calorie desserts presented by the assembled members.  Ruth, Barb and Kerstin set up the tables.  The 31 dinner attendees ate well…and thanks again for the desserts.  We welcomed new members: Lee Jelinek represented herself and husband Chuck Isling, on Lady Lee a H45 CC, homeport Pleasant Harbor and Gary and Joanne Mallett on Anna, H30T homeport Driftwood Key.

“I presented our rendezvous hosts with small gifts, Ray and Deb Valpey Port Orchard, Tom Hubbard and Duane Rubash Des Moines,  Stuart and Linda Haps in Da Hood.  Thanks for making the year a great success.  Our treasurer Mary Scott, absent due to the birth of a grandson in California, our Membership chair Kerstin Hilton and our Comms officer Stuart Scadron-Wattles also received gifts.

“Ruth and I enjoy every one of you and are truly blessed to have been at the helm as fleet Co-Captains since 2011.  It is an exceptional group of quality persons and we treasure our relationship with you.  We look back on our association with HAPS since joining in April of 2004 with precious memories.  The last six years were absolutely superb with the support and confidence of all HAPS members.  We look forward to many more delightful times with our fellow HAPSTERS.  I also thank my lovely wife Ruth for her constant support and wise counsel.  As I wrote on her birthday card I am thrilled each day to know that she is my wife.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.”

Godpseed,

Mike and Ruth Murray

S/V Wings of Gold

Kirsten Hilton and Stuart Scadron-Wattles presented reports from Membership and Communications, respectively. Treasurer Mary Scott was not present, due to welcoming a grandchild into the world; the treasurer’s report will be circulated later.  Kirsten and Stuart presented the Murrays with two thank-you gifts for their unprecedented six years of service to HAPS: a personalized cheese board for Wings of Gold, and a “Word Map” tribute. Stuart also read two letters of appreciation, one from Ben and Emmelie Stewart, and one from Bill and Jeanine Bramstedt.

Our 2018 officer line up is:

Fleet Co-Captains:  John and Kerstin Hilton of New Shoes

Membership:  Sue Tughan of Beverly Jane

Treasurer:  Mary Scott of Too Cool Runnings

Comms:  Stuart Scadron-Wattles of Selah  assisted by Duane Rubash of Salish Mermaid

2018 Dues are…due NOW

Renew your membership by mailing a check for $60, payable to HAPS

Send the check to:

Mary Scott

HAPS treasurer

6563 170th Place SE

Bellevue Wa 98006

Save the Date

Watch for an announcement from the Hiltons, announcing Chart Chat 2018, and presenting the Draft 2018 Rendezvous Schedule, for your suggestions and additions.

September 22-24, 2017, HAPS, Des Moines Rendezvous

Hosts: Tom and Kersten Hubbard, Duane and Gina Rubash

What a spectacular weekend in every sense. The weather, members, food and superb hosts was all, in two words, most excellent. Friday arrivals included Tom and Kersten in “Tiburon”, Duane and Gina Rubash in “Salish Mermaid”, Jim and Vicky Carey in “Stella Maris”, John and Sharon Veatch in” Disconnected”, Brian and Mary Scott in”Too Cool Runnings”, Willy Eriksen and Dick in “Akavit”, Mike and Ruth Murray in” Wings of Gold”, Ray and Deb Valpey in “Sloe Tango”, Buzz and Tish Greenman in “Prime Meridian”, Ben and Emelie Stewart in “Yikes II” and soon to be members Vince and Jo Haag in “Kingfisher”. Steve Stark and Barb Rosenbaum in “Starbright” joined us Saturday.

Tom had secured guest moorage for us, just inside the breakwater. It was was convenient to fuel, restrooms, and we had the use of a wonderful enclosed structure at the head of the dock.
Friday night we walked down town with some of us eating at Wally’s Chowder House and others at Mandarin Kitchen.

Saturday morning, a skipper’s meeting was held for the racers. Larry Tughan of “Beverly Jane” and Stuart Scadron Wattles of “Selah” arrived sans bateau to crew. Five intrepid boats braved the arduous weather conditions: winds were forecast to hit maybe 3 knots. Those winds, coupled with blinding sunshine, made for an extraordinarily challenging contest. New member to be Vince Haag in his 1992 Legend 37.5 was easily the fastest boat on the course.  Congratulations. Jim Carey was the fastest boat under 33’ (and the only one under 33’). Plans for two additional races were cancelled due to the severe weather conditions.

Dinner Saturday night was a feast cooked by Tom and Duane. The appetizers and chicken fajitas accompanied by margaritas and a custom designed HAPS cake left no one hungry. Reading the previous sentence does not do justice to the effort made by the hosts to provide the members with a truly delicious meal. Thanks again!!!

Mike Murray discussed the upcoming annual dinner at the Brownsville Yacht Club. Although the dinner is Saturday night November 4 th we have the yacht club from 1700 November 3 rd to 1200 November 5th . This is an important meeting, as Ruth and Mike are stepping down from our duties as Fleet Co-Captains, and new Fleet Co-Captain(s) need to be nominated and voted on. All of the rest of the officers serve for one year only. Members are welcome to nominate new ones, who would stand for election. That said, we have incumbents who are willing to serve next year, if the members agree: Stuart Scadron-Wattles is settled in nicely at Communications, with Duane Rubash assisting, Kersten Hilton at Membership chair, John Hilton Tech advisor, and Mary Scott as treasurer.

This happened later, but it’s worth highlighting: We’ve secured Phil Herring and Al Foolks from
Hunter Owners.com as speakers at 11am on Saturday morning of the Annual Meeting. These guys are responsible for ensuring that you can continue to get Hunter parts, now that we have no factory support, and their operation is located in the Georgetown area of Seattle.

Rumor has it that we are the biggest and most active Hunter group in the country so pat yourselves on the transom, when you can reach there. Our numerous rendezvouses allow members to participate at the level that accommodates their schedule. We solicit dates, destinations and hosts for the 2018 season and can discuss them at the November dinner. Email suggestions to Stuart at svselah@me.com It is important to get our input in soon as some venues get booked early. We have found that hosting works much better if two boats buddy up to share the tasks.

Attention was drawn to shore power issues at Poulsbo Marina over the Independence Day weekend. New posts were installed and the stray current threshold was dropped from 100ma to 30ma. Please see the article in the September issue of Northwest Yachting page64.

Duane Rubash made a pitch for member to update the member profile pictures on our website. Take a look to see if you’re there, and make sure you like the pic(s): Hunterpugetsound.com.  If you need the password again, contact Stuart here. We need your full crew picture, as well as one of your boat. Email your pics to Duane here.

Sunday morning the members were once again treated to a delicious meal…breakfast burritos or eggs to order with fruit, yogurt, juice, cinnamon bread, and coffee. Really another tremendous effort and greatly appreciated.

Nice people with nice boats having a nice time together.

Mike and Ruth Murray, “Wings of Gold”, Fleet co-captains

2017 Port Orchard Rendezvous Report

A big thanks to Deb and Ray Valpey and John Hilton for another wonderful rendezvous April 21-23 at the Port Orchard Marina.  The Friday weather was spectacular.  In aviation vernacular it was CAVU, Ceiling and visibility unlimited.  The warmth of the long absent sun was a welcome respite for the months of gray weather.  John Hilton and I buddy boated all the way from Bremerton Yacht Club to Port Orchard Marina.  We topped off with fuel and water, double checked our radio channels, took a last look at the weather charts and shoved off.  Forty minutes later we arrived safely.

HAPS attendees included Buzz and Tish and furry crew Ginger on their H34 Prime Meridian , Ray and Deb and furry crew Clover on H38 Sloe Tango , John Hilton in H38 New Shoes, Stuart and Linda on H36 Selah, Chris Jones, Sunny and Carol Jones and a furry crew member as well on H460 Brigadoon , and Mike and Ruth on H466 Wings of Gold.

The weekend event was all the more fun with some crews from Three Tree Point YC that joined us.  Don and Kristy in their Catalina 36 (and two cats Bandit and Buddy). Dennis and Ingrid in their Tartan 37 and Jim in his Camano 30 trawler.

The appetizers were delicious and whetted appetites prior to finding dinner in town.  Ruth and I celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary with a wonderful dinner for two at Amy's on the bay.

John's friend Andrea prepared some precooked quiche for the Saturday breakfast.  Mike and Ruth made coffee for the crew. I have heard that timing is everything, and Selah and Brigadoon proved that to be correct by arriving Saturday morning and timing their docking in heavy rain and wind gusts to 30kts. Chris did a really fine job of backing in with the adverse conditions.

The continued blustery winds and heavy rain put a damper on the geo cache so Don and Kristy from Three Tree Point were the only crew to complete it.  Marshmallow golf was also rained out.  We did have fun on the walk to the Sidney Art Gallery and museum.  After that Deb Valpey conducted a primer on art work and had paints and wood boards for all to exercise their inner artist.  As a non-participating observer myself, I think that some of our members could strike out on another career while others should stick to cruising and their day job.

The grill your own potluck Saturday night was delicious and plentiful.  The shelter at the marina complete with lights, grill and propane heaters was a welcome port in the storm and greatly enjoyed by all.  Rousing rounds of Jenga and Bananagram topped off the evening.

Sunday morning was left overs, juice and coffee.  John and I again buddy boated back to BYC and arrived safely.

Again a huge thanks to our wonderful hosts Deb and Ray Valpey and John Hilton.

Cheers,

Mike and Ruth Murray

HAPS Co-captain

Save the Date for our next rendezvous: May 12-14 on Blake Island is a come as you are, no-host affair.

Also, Specialty Yachts' huge Hunter/Marlow-Hunter gathering on Thetis Island is June 1-4. This hugely popular gathering sells out.

HAPS Rendezvous with Specialty Yachts 2016

Specialty Yachts rendezvous 2016

It was three days of Hunter love on Thetis Island, courtesy of Specialty Yachts. Fifty-five Hunters converged on Telegraph Harbor Marina, most arriving in time for the 8PM “Beer and Smokies” dinner on Thursday 9 June, and staying through the aptly-named “breakfast bonanza” on Sunday 12 June. There were six American Hunters, four of them HAPS members: Dulcinea, with David and Mary Weale aboard; Earrame, with Fred and Carolyne Marcinek; Aloha Makai, with Blain Nelson and Melissa Blankenship; and Selah, with Stuart and Linda Scadron-Wattles aboard. We also counted two other American boats sailed by Nyhmbers (“Not Yet HAPS Members”): Jim and Cathy Green, aboard their H33 Morning Star, and a new sailor named Keirin, who was single-handing his new-to-him Hunter 356 Boatisattva.

The other 50 boats were a wide variety of Hunter and Marlow Hunter boats registered in Canada. This was our first Specialty Yachts rendezvous, and it certainly lived up to its billing.

As Selah eased into her slip on Thursday, the familiar face of Blain Nelson greeted us on the dock alongside those of the Telegraph Harbor staff, as they helped to moor the boat. (Blain later commented that he had requested additional employment. This became a theme with Aloha Makai, when Melissa Blankenship co-presented the seminar on making candied salmon, alongside the staff from Specialty Yachts.

An immediately noticeable feature was the love that exists between the staff at Specialty (who all pitched in to make this event and all of its details work) and the Hunter owners who had purchased their boats there. In many ways, it reminded us of the relationship that some HAPSters still have with staff at Signature Yachts. Greg Emerson, director of sales at Marlow Hunter, who has been at Hunter since 1973, brought his wife Susan, and he and Susan also pitched in to make the rendezvous happen.

The recent marriage of Kim and Lawrence Fronzcek was a much-commented-upon item. Kim organized a happy birthday surprise for Lawrence, and one of the Canadian yachters baked cinnamon rolls for the entire rendezvous in his honor. At one point, Lawrence told their marriage proposal story to the assembled group. I will not attempt to repeat it here, but it involved a message in a bottle, a nosy dog, and an unimpressed park ranger, and was received with great delight.

Greg Emerson was given some time to speak to all of the attendees, and as he developed his theme, it became clear that those of us who own Hunters (as opposed to Marlow Hunters) are witnessing the end of an era. David Marlow is building the Marlow Hunter sailboats in the best way he knows, using the best materials he can gather, and personally ensuring that the best methods are used. Under Warren Luhrs, the founder of Hunter, the philosophy was to get new people sailing in an affordable, well-built boat that can stay in the family and continue to be upgraded. At its peak, Hunter was turning out 800 sailboats a year, sending them out to dealers to sell. Marlow Hunter, by contrast, is focusing on building 100 sailboats a year, and building each one to order.

When he was asked what new things Marlow Hunter had going, Greg smiled to himself and confined his reply to “there are always exciting ideas that we are looking at,” adding that the MH 47, which will be introduced at the 2016 Annapolis Boat Show, will have been worth waiting for.

One of us asked Greg privately what Marlow Hunter was doing in the way of making a new boat that ”middle-class, retired people could afford.” His response was that the value of the Hunters built from the 1980s to the early 2000s will continue to hold firm, essentially admitting that Marlow Hunter is no longer making such boats and has no immediate plans to do so. The Luhrs vision was to get people sailing and owning Hunter boats. The Marlow vision is to make the Hunters better. People who want affordable Hunters will have to purchase them from previous owners.

The seminars were largely given by suppliers to, and staff of, Specialty Yachts. They included the aforementioned candied salmon demonstration and a North Sails demonstration on the new Selden furling system for asymmetrical foresails, including a discussion on sail handling for cruisers, which could have been entitled “how to get performance out of your boat without spilling your wine.” There was another seminar on solar panels (concentrating on flexible panels).

Another seminar on the new EFOY methelene fuel cells from Germany introduced an electrical generation technology that is being used widely in Europe and has now been spreading throughout Canada. Fisheries Supply in Seattle has just started carrying the product. The generating unit is slightly larger than a briefcase, and is virtually silent with two moving parts: a fan and a pump. Set-up cost ranges about $5,000, and fuel arrives in specially purposed plastic “cells” that retail for around $80 each. Installation is simple and requires basic electrical knowledge and no special tools. The technology is being used as a back-up energy generation source for both commercial and recreational applications.

A diesel motor seminar with Ben Cross included answers to highly detailed individual questions, and two admonitions, the first of which was simple: keep an engine maintenance and repair log (“It will help with troubleshooting and increase the resale value of your boat.”). The second focused on engine technique: run your engine at 80% of the rated maximum engine revolutions for 30 minutes every time you take the boat out, preferably at the beginning or the end of the day’s run. Diesel engines are manufactured to run hot. Constant running at low revs builds up “gunk” that burns off at higher revs, and problems surface at the 80% mark that will not show until it is too late.

Previous attendees have commented most favorably on the quality and quantity of the food, which, they noted, could alone provide enough value for the required registration fee. They understated the case. Specialty Yachts staff were joined by the staff of a Greek restaurant, and every dinner and the Sunday morning breakfast was catered. A “wine tasting” happy hour with light munchies poured into dinner on both Friday and Saturday nights. Plates were piled high, and some skippers were seen leaving with their seconds tucked into Tupperware for their post-rendezvous enjoyment!

The next time you see Linda, you can ask her about the pie.

As encouragement to balance this excess with exercise and fellowship, two fun activities were planned and hosted by Specialty staff: the “ever popular blind dinghy race,” and a pick-up team competition that involved knot tying, trivia responses, and a scavenger hunt. Hilarity ensued.

On Saturday night, prizes were awarded to the winners, but then it seemed that everyone became a winner. Lawrence drew boat names out and every boat in attendance received not one, but two prizes each from supplier donations ranging from cleaning products to handheld VHF units.

The boats in attendance included first-time attendees (about 1/3), repeat attendees (“I couldn’t come last year, but..”), and “never miss one of these” returnees.

HAPsters took a lot of time to mingle with Canadian owners, many of whom professed surprise that such an association existed, and disappointment that Canadians did not have one. With that in mind, Fred and Carolyne Marcinek and Stuart and Linda Scadron-Wattles are going to propose a HAPS Southern Gulf Islands cruise for August 2017, which will specifically aim at including and involving Canadian Hunter owners.

Lawrence went out of his way to express his gratitude to each HAPSter who attended, and his hope that they would return the following year.