The Daily Voice

By Len Bose

Working my way around the bay and reading through all the different marine-related applications this week, I only found a couple of items of interest to me.

The first being the status of the #8 Channel marker, Class breaks have been posted for the 2010 CdM to Cabo race, and a very informative article written by David Weil Esq. regarding “Will Purchasing an LLC Avoid Sales Tax."

Lots can be said about our harbor's #8 channel marker. I am sure we all have had our close calls avoiding it and we all have noticed its constant state of repair over the years from people hitting it. In fact, this year we named and awarded, in “The Daily Voice” Harbor Awards, after the “#8 Channel Marker Award:” For courageous readiness and determination and continuing against all odds. Well, if you haven't been down in the eastern part of the bay in awhile, last year a very large catamaran ran into the marker, basically totaling the structure. I recall this happened sometime in late September or early October. All the proper “notices to mariners” were posted and Newport Beach’s new “ramming rod” was decorated with one yellow light well before the coming holidays. Just before the Christmas Boat Parade, the coast guard's Chief Jeff Ruggieri, Officer in Charge of Aids to Navigation Team - Los Angeles/Long Beach, was the speaker at Newport Harbor Yacht Club's weekly "Yachtsman's Luncheon" on Dec. 16, 2009. The idea was to go face to face with the community into what type of replacement buoy or structure would be feasible and best suit local needs. My understanding is a simple red floating buoy, like the one that is on station now, will meet the needs of the harbor. While attending the last few Harbor Commission meetings, when this subject is brought up and it's been brought up every meeting, the commissioners just rub their face and shake their heads in disgust, because there is little the city can do because the marker is in a federal channel and is the responsibility of the coast guard. The city has even offered to pull the “Ramming Rod” and look for reimbursement at a later date. The coast guard's response is sorry, “We just cannot work that way." So, it appears that all visitors and locals will get to look at our “ramming rod” well through the summer. Let's just bet we don’t have any more strange weather this year, yeah right! Take a look at what happened to another marina with the same problem this year!

The class breaks have been posted for the upcoming CdM to Cabo race at www.balboayachtclub.com/files/Cabo10SI_AppendixB.pdf. The fleet has been split up for the most part, as I reported a couple of weeks ago. The New Pendragon VI has withdrawn because of some steering issues and the R/P 63 Limit is having difficulty making it because the delivery ship is running very late. The big news is still the size of the 40-foot fleet with 13 boats in the D class. This is the best thing to happen to offshore sailing on our coast in many years. Please keep tuned in to this event, as it will be fun to watch on your computer at www.iboattrack.com/racetracking.html. In fact, last night I asked if we could place the Iboat screen on the BYC big screen on Friday night with telephone interviews over the intercom. This could be a lot of fun, although I think my idea fell on deaf ears. Now I am just hoping for wind. Something doesn't feel right to me this year, and with the PV race having wind I am just hoping for the best.

The last bit of information I have for you this week is an outstanding article written by David Weil Esq. of "The Log." Weil writes a bi-weekly column “Ask A Maritime Attorney,” and this piece's question was “Will Purchasing An LLC Avoid Sales Tax”. It’s a good read and you should take a look at it thelog.com/askattorney/askAttorney.aspx?x=366.

Sea ya'
Len Bose

Len Bose is a contributing writer to the Daily Voice and owner of Len Bose Yacht Sales.

By Len Bose

Len and Jennifer Bose on their wine-tasting trip to Paso Robles.

While most of you were sailing in the 81st annual 2010 Midwinter regatta or sailing in the Vallarta Race, some of us were catching up with our annual maintenance. Please understand as a yacht broker, when I take time off from work, I go racing or to Catalina with the family, that’s pretty much it.

Around this time of year, my wife Jennifer reminds me it's our wedding anniversary, and very gently asks where we might be going. My reply is normally, “Let's load up the boat and head to Catalina.”

Well about every five years, Jennifer looks at me, places her hands on her hips and tells me: “Not again. I want to go somewhere were there are no boats and just relax.”

So, what’s a sailor going to do? Go drinking of course, or to put it more eloquently – wine tasting. Yeah, that’s it, let's go wine tasting!

It’s also strange that about every five years I sell a boat to a vintner; it’s always good to “talk the talk.” Now, I just need to learn to “walk the walk,” because after 17 years with my love, staying at a Motel 6 and doing 10 tastings in a day is no longer an option. This time, I needed to do my homework and plan a strategy and route in mind. So, I tried to recall the first winemaker I sold a boat to some 20 years ago – Cliff Giacobine. Cliff has since passed away, but what I recall was always talking about Italian wines. I thought this was strange, because the year was 1990. He had been growing Zinfandel for years and had just started planting Syrah. Now jump ahead 20 years: the Rhone style is getting most of the attention in Paso Robles. And I can still recall Cliff talking about Italian wines.

So while researching the trip, I found www.giornatawines.com, whose headline on the website read: "Inspired by Italy – Crafted in California.” This winery is owned and operated by Stephanie and Brian Terrizzi, whose philosphy reads: "Creating giornata started with a dream to create wines from Italian grapes grown in California employing the sensibility and philosophy of Italian winemaking."

What I liked most about this vintner was that after I sent an email requesting a tasting time, Brian called me personally. The Terrizzis don't have a tasting room yet, so you meet Stephy at a local wine bar called 15 Degrees C, which refers to a nice cellar temperature for a red wine. There is no better way to get a true feel for a region than getting an overview from a local wine bar.

Jennifer and I had a chance to try the “il Campo” and the Sangiovese. This is when Jennifer said "yummy," and we purchased a bottle of the 2007 Gemellaia, two bottles of the 2007 Nebbiolo along with a bottle of the 08 il Campo. It might be because of the past comments made by my old friend Cliff, but my gut tells me to keep my eye on giornata wines. I would also like to point out that I was not charged for the tasting.

So now it was time go drinking ... I mean wine tasting. Attached is my google maps. Because Jennifer and I went tasting on a Sunday and Monday, the yellow pins mark the wineries open Thursday through Sunday.

We pulled off the 101 onto Vineyard Drive. I called Booker wines because I had read that they were closed for tasting due to a fire. This wasn't really a problem as Turley Wines is on the way to the 46. Turley Zins are the "best in the world," and the owners are mighty proud of their product. This didn't keep us from buying a bottle of Dogtown and a bottle of Turley olive oil.

With the time now at 3 p.m., I decided to pass on L’Aventure. On a side note, you can find L’Aventure wines for sale at The Wine Club in Santa Ana.

Next on the list was Zin Ally. You have to stop by and see Frank. He only makes 300 cases of Zin a year, but his father used to own Pesenti Vineyards, which is now owned by Turley. This winery is a must see and an outstanding value.

Just down the Hill is Four Vines. The tasting room was packed, and just not a comfortable place for Jen and me.  If you are under the age of 40, stop by and enjoy a tasting.

Next on our list was Dover Canyon. This winery has one of the better views of Paso Robles, and we stayed well over an hour tasting 12 different types of wine. I really liked this place; we walked out with two bottles of their Rebel Rose’ and two Bottles of their 2007 Osso Seccho.

We then pushed to the Far Out region of Paso and stopped by Le Cuvier. The tasting room is a couple of picnic benches in the middle of the winery with everyone working around you. To me it does not get any better than this. And as for the wines, all Jennifer could say was, “We'll take that one and that one and ..." I am just glad our son Andrew wasn't with us, because we might have just left him there in trade.

With time running out, we started back to the bed and breakfast we were staying at with the hopes we could make it to Villa Creek. We pulled in front of Villa Creek at 5:20 p.m., and they had already closed. But to tell you the truth, we were done tasting for the day.

View from Belvino Viaggio, their charming bed and breakfast.We arrived at Belvino Viaggio, our quaint lodging, at just before six o' clock, with a very warm greeting from Lois Fox owner/innkeeper. To keep the article short, we loved it! We've never stayed at a better place in Paso.

We were the only ones there on Sunday and Monday nights, and we'll be back. We shared some wine and cheese and just took in the breathtaking view with Lois, who talked about her upcoming bare boat charter in La Paz.

Jennifer and I have been wine tasting a number of times, and our routine is to have a picnic in the room for dinner. As the moon came over the city lights it was the end of a perfect first day.

On day two, we took out our party hats after a nice walk through the orchard below the B&B, and started out on our course. First stop – Lone Madrone, with a farm-style wine tasting room and a comfortable feeling.

Next was Linne Calodo. This is one of the new high-end places in town with some of the better wines from Paso. The whole place is breathtaking. With their flagship wine being named “Problem Child” it made me laugh and think of my good friend Dan Rosen and his boat of the same name. The wines are pricey but it’s worth the stop.

Our next waypoint was Denner Wines – and just like Linne Calodo – this is one of the new wineries in town where no expense has been spared. Jennifer and I used one of their picnic benches for lunch, and spent an hour just enjoying the view.

We continued traveling north on Vineyard, and as we approached Norman we noticed the time was 3 p.m., and we were already running out of steam. We made our last stop – Tablas Creek. By the time we arrived there, Jennifer had caught her second wind and started by saying “yummy” and “we will take that one and that one and …"

It was approaching 5 p.m., and we needed to go back and change to get ready for dinner at Artisan. We wrapped up our 17th wedding anniversary in style, with a three-course meal, and of course, the wine pairing.

To tell you the truth, I hit every lay line and made it around this course like I knew what I was doing. When Jennifer went to work today she still had a big smile on her face, leaving the house with a big, “I love you.” Well, it will be great until my MasterCard bill arrives. If any of you readers would like a copy of my wine notes and some of the information I gathered, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Now it's time to get ready for the Cabo race.

Sea ya'
Len Bose

Len Bose is a contributing writer to the Daily Voice and owner of Len Bose Yacht Sales.

By Len Bose

The warning signal for the 2010 boating season is about to be raised. With the daylight savings time change just three weeks away, the shipyards are in full swing with the yachts preparing for the upcoming season. The Rhine Wharf Guest Dock is under construction, the racing starts this weekend, fishermen are still chasing the giant squid and the local yacht clubs' cruising schedules have been posted. Its time to go yachting!

While cruising the shipyards today, the Balboa Boat Yard and South Cost Shipyard seemed a little slow, while in the Newport Shipyard the bay's comical fleet was filling the yard. Over at Basin Shipyard, the yard was packed, and I could barely walk through it. Normally within the next couple of weeks, the yards start filling up with the yachting season approaching fast. If you have not scheduled your haul-out yet, you better get on it, because if you don't do it now you might be waiting until July before there is an opening.

The racing season really starts this weekend with the 81st Annual 2010 Midwinter Regatta. Most of the racing in Newport this weekend will be limited to Sabots and Harbor 20’s. This is only a wake-up call, because once March starts its “Sheet in and Max Out.” One of my favorite events is the WD Schock Memorial Regatta coming March 6-7, that brings in a big fleet of Lido 14’s and Harbor 20’s. Last year, we had 24 Lido 14’s and 28 Harbor 20’s, and this is always a good way to start out this bay's March madness.

The following weekend, Newport Harbor Yacht Club and San Diego Yacht Club have put their heads together to come up with one of the better ideas for a yacht race that I've seen in years – The Islands Race. It starts March 12 in Long Beach, heads around Catalina and San Clemente Islands to port and finishes in San Diego. In its inaugural run, this race has attracted 47 of the West Coast's best ocean racers with four Santa Cruz 70, four Trans Pac 52, and Dennis Conner and his Farr 60 “Stars & Stripes.” Other boats to watch will be Magnitude 80 and three new boats to the race course this year: “Yippee Kai Yay” the new Antrim Open 40, “Rapid Transit” an Antrim Open 49 and the Kernan 44 “Wasabi.” And of course everyone's favorite – “Ragtime." Most of the people entered in this race will be returning to Newport the next weekend for the CdM to Cabo Yacht race on March 26-27. Because I will be racing in this year's Cabo race, I will miss the “Harry Wood” Lido 14 regatta that the Balboa Yacht Club is running on the March 28. Last year, this event had 15 A Fleet boats and five B fleet boats attending. This is always a well-run event with some of the best racing the bay has to offer. Also with the time change, the second Sunday of the month, means the Lido 14’s will be returning to M mark on Wednesday nights starting on March 17 at 5:30 p.m.and going through August.

While making my way around the harbor today, one can't miss the work going on in the Rhine Channel. Between The Cannery restarant and Blue Water Grille, the city has started construction on the 100-foot guest dock, and it appears the work will be done before summer starts. The bay is in desperate need for more guest docks, so this will be a big relief when the project is completed.

From what I hear at the Island Marine Fuel dock (the only mini-market on the bay), everyone is still chasing the giant squid. With a quick look at Newport Landing's website www.newportlanding.com/fishcount.htm, the fishing boats are leaving at 5:30 nightly. It seems that everyone I showed a boat to these last two weeks is going giant squid fishing.

While sitting in on the Balboa Yacht Club's fleet meeting, our cruising chairmen reviewed this year's schedule. One of my favorite events we have each year is our club's raft up in the turning basin. This year, the raft up is scheduled on March 27-28, and Newport Harbor's raft up will be on May 22-24. I can’t think of a better way or better value than attending a raft up in Newport Bay.

So get ready to start your watches. This season's preparatory signals are about to be raised!

Sea ya'
Len Bose

Len Bose is a contributing writer to the Daily Voice and owner of Len Bose Yacht Sales.

By Len Bose

Last night I attended the Harbor Commission meeting with my normal reluctance to leave the house just before dinner as my family gathered around the dinner table. Taking my usual seat in the back of the chambers my routine is to look to see who is in attendance in the audience. I only started attending the meeting last November when I started writing this column and I am starting to recognize the regulars. Last night while scanning the room, I noticed a face, but it took me a little while to notice who it was. I thought to myself, “Cool, that’s our harbormaster Lieutenant Mark Long in his civvies rather than in full uniform. Wow, this guy is going the extra mile.” I don’t know about you, but it's a lot easier to talk to a person that is not in full uniform, wearing a bulletproof vest, radio and gun. I am starting to like this guy approach.

Tonight, Lieutenant Long will be speaking at the Balboa Yacht Club in regards to the ongoing challenges of the proper Harbor Operations staffing and the Harbor Patrol’s role in homeland security. I highly recommend you attend tonight’s program. I am quite confident you will be glad you did. The buffer dinner starts at 1800 hours [6 p.m] and 1930 [7:30] for the harbormaster Long presentation. BYC is Located at 1801 Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar and their phone number is (949) 673-3515.

There are three wind shifts coming down the course that need your attention. The first shift is the sealion citation time frame, shift No. 2 is the Marina Park Phase III plan and  shift No. 3 is the Proposed Statewide Coastal Marina Permit. Last night the Harbor Commission requested City Council to tighten the time frame of one warning letter to remove the sealions and place the proper deterrents on your vessel, or move your boat to a new location within seven days. If you cannot complete this task, the city will send you a citation. Overall this is a good idea. To me it would make more sense to call the boat owners, and send out the notice. If the boat owner is out of town, the city should have three phone numbers of clean-up crews that can help the out-of-town boat owners. Something to remember as a boat owner is to leave a second phone number with Sally at the mooring office. Nothing would be worse than returning home from vacation and having thousands of dollars of damage to your boat from the sealions and a ticket from the city. Now, wouldn’t that be special!

Wind shift No. 2 – Marina Park Phase III. This story reminds me of the time when a couple of yacht clubs in town had the opportunity to purchase the marina next to them. One club followed through and took the chance of purchasing the property in hard times. The other club felt it was not wise to spend the money in those times. I’ll give you one guess on who made the right decision? This is how I see the Marina Park plan Phase I, II & III. If we don't show our support at the city council meeting on May 11 for Phase III of the Marina Park Plan, I can see us standing in the sand with our tillers in our hands 10 years from now thinking of how it could have been. This one goes right along side of dredging the lower bay; we need everyone to show up at this council meeting.

Wind Shift No. 3. This one concerns the Proposed Statewide Coastal Marina Permit. I'm not sure which example fits best, although two things come to mind when this subject is brought to my attention. One example is there is a clearing westerly breeze coming down the course and I had better shorten sail and place everyone on the rail to make it around the weather mark in good shape. My other example would be if my wife notified me that my mother-in-law was moving into the house! This one I would just get the ditch bag and deploy the life raft and it would be too late for the flares. I could write pages about what this proposal is from the water board. If you have no idea what I am talking about and you fear the fact that your mother in-law is moving in you better go read the information on the RBOC web site at www.rboc.org/call_to_arms.html. Contact your local reps. The harbor commission is forwarding a position letter to council for review, which the council will forward to the state. You might just get thrown out of the boat if you don't act on this one.

It looks like there is a long hard weather beat in front of us and we better start changing gears if we want the long downwind run to the finish!

Sea ya'
Len Bose

Len Bose is a contributing writer to the Daily Voice and owner of Len Bose Yacht Sales.

By Len Bose

The entry deadline for the 2010 Corona del Mar to Cabo San Lucas International Yacht Race is today, Monday, Feb. 1. With the entry list almost doubling last year’s 2009 Cabo race you can’t help saying to yourself, “Who dat” and “Who Dat” when looking down this year’s entry list.

This being my 29th yacht race to Cabo, I do happen to recognize most of the entries, but I’m just amazed at the amount of entries the Balboa Yacht Club has gathered to attended this event. HATS OFF to General Chairman Paul Loubet and Entry Chairman Chris Hemans, well done GUYS and good luck Becky and Don!

So “Who Dat” going to the winner circle this year? Or who are this year’s favorites? It isn’t going to be easy to guess who is going to be the first to finish, or who the elapsed time winner will be. In one corner you have the boys from “Magnitude 80” and owner Doug Baker. Baker donated “Mag 80” to Orange Coast College last year and has elected to charter the R/P 78 “Akela” this year. In the other corner you have Alan Briety Reichel-Pugh 63 “Limit” who finished in fifth place in this year’s Sydney to Hobart race. Now, if we are lucky, the long awaited 72’ PendragonV might even be attending. Blend this altogether with the “Iboat Tracker” http://www.iboattrack.com/racetracking.html  and this race will be better to watch than the upcoming America’s Cup. Of course one rule of thumb in a Mexico race is, “the race is never over until the fat lady sings.”

Let’s have a look at the seven 70 raters entered this year. The 70 raters are the old Santa Cruz 70, Andrews 68 and Peterson 68 that are going and we haven’t had these entries since the late ‘80s. This will be an extremely fun class to watch and should be a very close race, as any one of them could win it. Peter Tong’s OEX has to be the favorite in this class because of its win in last year’s Transpac. The OEX crew has been sailing together for as long has I can remember which makes it that much more fun to watch. Not knowing exactly where the class splits will maker it even more interesting. I will have to assume the Transpac 52s will be mixed in with the 70s, and one very fast and well-sailed Reichel-Pugh 45 Criminal Mischief can easily be the giant killer. I’m assuming Elvis will be onboard! This alone will be some of the best yacht racing on this coast in years.

I’ll be sailing on the Santa Cruz 50 Flaca this year, and we’ll have our hands full with the seven other 50-footers in our class. I’m going to stick my neck out on this one and say that the yacht Morpheus Schumacher 50 from the Bay Area will be the boat to beat. I have raced this boat down the cost a number of times and this crew is not known to make many mistakes.

Now the real money maker of this entire event is the amount of entrees in the 40-foot class. Thirteen boats will be racing in this class, and I don’t recall ever seeing a healthier aspect for local sailing. This is absolutely fantastic, and in my option, this is a very positive sign for our sport. With 13 very closely rated boats, this will be the class to keep your eyes on. I would have to guess the J 125 Reinrag2 is the favorite, and if the Garniers can pull a win off in this fleet they should get a front row parking place at their yacht club. This fleet is “locked and loaded” with Tim Fuller and his new J 125 “Resolute.” Rumor has it the boat has been out of the water in Marina Del Rey getting the twice over. Dr. Laura Schlessinger will have her J 125 “Warrior” ready and the old J 125 I used to sail on  “Derivative” Ex Lucky Dog will be on the starting line. I heard Peter Heck would be on the Far 40 “Temptress,” along with the giant killer of this class – Richard Mainland Ross on 40 “Paddy Wagon.”

I plan on reporting back a couple of times before the event. You have to mark your calendars for this one. For those of you not going, well that’s too bad, because you’ll be missing one epic race.

Sea ya’
Len Bose

Len Bose is the owner of Len Bose Yacht Sales.