John Byerlein and sailing the Oasis II

“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing -- absolutely nothing

-- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

-- KENNETH GRAHAME,

“The Wind in the Willows”

It doesn’t take much to get Oasis Sailing Club Commodore John

Byerlein enthused about boats. Indeed, had it not been Water Rat

musing dreamily of watercraft in Kenneth’s Grahame’s children’s

classic, it might have been Byerlein.

Now entering the second year of his two-year term as head of the

100-member club, the Coast Guard Academy reservist can instantly reel

off a litany of stats about the Corona del Mar senior center’s

17-year-old sailing club: “We have 13 designated skippers, 10

designated mates, 17 members working to qualify as mates and 60

casual sailors who also bring treats and enjoy sailing’s social

aspects.”

As one of four elected officers, Byerlein has help in making Oasis

II -- the club’s 30-foot Newport Mark III sloop -- available to club

members 29 days a month. Sharing leadership responsibilities with him

are Vice Commodore Jack Teberg, Secretary Jim Stone and Treasurer

Dorothy Fox.

Under their stewardship, Oasis II departed its Balboa Yacht Basin

mooring on 257 days in 2002, providing 1,100 person-days of

enjoyment. On all voyages, a certified skipper and first mate are on

board, to satisfy insurance requirements and provide optimal safety.

Club skippers must pass both a written and a hands-on test.

Even with such precautions, watery mishaps do occasionally occur.

Following one this spring, Oasis II underwent major repair and now

boasts all new rigging, lifelines and safety equipment. “After five

weeks out of commission, it’s stronger and safer than ever before,”

Byerlein said.

Originally built in 1982, the vessel was outfitted with a new

inboard diesel motor last July. It comfortably seats six adults, on

daytime and sunset excursions ranging from races to Huntington Harbor

to overnight jaunts to San Pedro and Catalina. Augmenting these

outings are parties and participation in local boat parades,

including recent American Legion festivities and the annual

end-of-year holiday celebration in Newport Harbor.

Sailing club dues, which run $10 per month, and sailing excursion

charges -- $15 each for the first three sailings each month -- cover

dock fees, insurance and maintenance costs. Club members perform most

routine maintenance.

To coordinate activities, they meet from 1 to 3 p.m. on the last

Wednesday of each month at the Oasis Center. Experienced and new

sailors of all ages are welcome to join them, to learn about what

Byerlein asserts is “the world’s most active sailing alliance.”

Newcomers can enjoy one free sailing when they join the club’s ranks.

If the lure of the sea and the enthusiasm of club members fail to

motivate, Byerlein adds one more incentive. “People with involvements

and relationships live nine years longer than those who are more

passive.”

“I can’t die,” said Byerlein, who was the Newport Harbor Nautical

Museum docent-of-the-year. “I have sailing this weekend.”

* MELISSA ADAMS manages communications for City of Newport Beach

Library, Arts, and Recreation & Senior Services. Oasis Senior Center

is a hub for older adults social and information services, at Fifth

Street and Narcissus Avenue in Corona del Mar. For more information

about the center and its activities, please call (949) 644-3244.