From the Boathouse: Harbor Yacht Club luncheon is rich tradition

Ahoy and see you at the Yachtsmen’s Luncheon or the Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade.

Batten down the hatches and douse the sails, as this Wednesday, I am the keynote speaker for the Yachtsmen’s Luncheon at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. Gordon Glass invited me for lunch and to chat to the group.

I plan to touch on topics like the origination of my newspaper columns that began 15 years ago, experiences and people that I have encountered, notable yacht deliveries, and my summer racing every weekend aboard a C Scow at the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club. Plus, I hope to show a video or two of our famous capsizes in the 20-foot C Scow — my fault?

Boaters know of the Yachtsmen’s Luncheon, but some might not know that it is open to all sailors. I have spoken in the past to this fine bunch of scurvy dogs, pirates, and mariners and decided to ask Gordon what year the luncheon began.

“Don’t know when it started, but I was invited as a guest of Dr. Alan Cottle, our family MD and a fellow BYC, member in 1957,” Glass said.

He said that NHYC hosted in those days, and he does not know if the luncheon was hosted somewhere else or how it actually got started. I know someone at Wednesday’s event will share their recollection of the first gatherings.

“But it was accessible to anyone with an interest in boats and boating, without requiring membership in a yacht club,” Gordon said. He added, “In the days of my first attendance, a raffle was held each week for a bottle of your choice, gin, vodka, bourbon scotch or rum at only 50 cents per chance. I was lucky to win: I chose the scotch.” Other traditions included the annual Balboa Ferry luncheon that was just before Christmas, and in the 1980s an afternoon race between the replica Baltimore Clipper Pride of Baltimore and our local Baltimore Clipper Swift of Los Angeles.

The luncheon has shown home movies and slides of races, cruises, or interesting travels by members, and the speakers have included prominent sailors, designers, builders and sportsmen in all fields including airplanes, cars, science, and even war.

Volunteers like Glass plan the monthly programs and speakers. “That’s why I do December each year as it has only three Wednesdays due to Christmas,” he said. “I found out the hard way some months have five Wednesdays.”

“Oh, as the weekly announcer always says when welcoming new guests: Remember, you’re now a member for life, and there’s only one way out,” he added.

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Parade of the Week

The 17th annual Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights on the Palos Verdes Peninsula is on my radar for Dec. 5. I know that is not a boat parade, but I will be returning with my co-hosts for the evening with our stage in front of the library on Deep Valley Drive. Additionally this year, the parade will be professionally produced by RPVtv, and Cox Communication TV, as in the past, will continue to air the coverage throughout the holidays.

“The 90-minute parade will feature holiday music from at least 10 high school bands, classic cars, floats, scout groups, clowns, equestrian units, drill teams, canine units, and ending with Santa Claus riding in a 1957 Ford T-Bird convertible,” the city’s Community Services Director Andy Clark told me.

Typically, with weather permitting, approximately 6,000 spectators line the streets, and I notice that the bleachers fill-up early. So, join us from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and contact Andy Clark, Community Services Director at AndyC@RollingHillsEstatesCA.gov or on the web at ci.rolling-hills-estates.ca.us.

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William B

Lastly, an update on the iconic tugboat, the William B, that caught fire on Halloween. I spoke to the tug’s owner, Gary Hill, who told me the sad news.

“She is a total loss and ironically she is at the same berth that I brought her to 28 years ago,” he said. “She has gone full circle. We still have no idea what caused the fire nor does the investigator. Twenty-eight years and over 30,000 miles was a good run.”

As always, just keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm.

The original boating program, “Boathouse TV & Radio Shows,” has stretched from coast to coast for more than two decades. See the details at boathousetv.com, facebook.com/boathouseradio and twitter.com/boathouseradio.

Safe voyages!