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Sun Harbor Marina Minute
This is the beginning to the time of year when weather can get a little stormy. It is a good idea now to check your lines to be sure they are in good working condition and not frayed. Good line condition can be the difference between weathering a storm with minimal damage and incurring serious damage to your boat, the dock and your neighbor's boat.
Tenant of the Month
Peggy Sue Tilden for noticing and reporting damage to a neighbor's boat.
Holiday Party
Start your evening off with good food and good company, end it with a parade! Sun Harbor will throw its 2011 Holiday Party on Sunday December 18th at 4:30 pm in the rec room. The party coincides with the first night of the Parade of Lights, which runs from 5:30 - 9:00. Sign up in the office with number of guests and what side dish you will bring.
2011 San Diego Parade of Lights
The San Diego Bay Parade of Lights kicks off with fireworks, followed by the parade. With more than 80,000 spectators expected, the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights features boats decorated for the holiday season. This year's San Diego Bay Parade of Lights celebrates "Christmas at the Zoo!" with boats of all kinds judged for creative lighting, decorations and crowd-engaging fun. More than 100 vessels will take to the water for the parade. For more information, CLICK HERE
Holidays in December
December 7th Pearl Harbor Day
December 8th National Brownie Day
December 25th Christmas Day
December 31th New Year's Eve
Christmas Office Schedule
The Office will be closed at noon on Saturday December 24th and Christmas, Sunday
December 25th and at noon on Saturday December 31st and New Year's Day, Sunday, January 1st.
Christmas Joke of the Month
Christmas Lights Contest
Show your holiday spirit and participate in the Christmas Lights Contest. All Vessels decorated by December 4th will be judged, and winners will be announced on December 10th. The top 3 will receive up to $50.00 toward January's Electric Bill!! (Prizes will go only toward January's electric bill up to $50.00)As a special prize, we'll throw an exclusive party for the dock that boasts the most decorated boats. There may be extra lights available to borrow at the SHM office for those needing a little extra twinkle.
New Friendly Bar & Grill in Point Loma
Harbor Town
1125 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92106
Click here for a Google Map
Food. Drink. Service. The three key elements for a successful bar venture, and if you've ever been to The Waterfront you know the folks behind this place have them down to a science.
Similar to its sister bar, Harbor Town isn't trying too hard to be anything other than what it is, and that's what makes them great. It's like the Seinfeld of saloons without a real specific concept, but they're terrific at what they do.
The food is simple, delicious pub grub. Drinks are inexpensive with a good variety, and the service will give you reason to come back for the other two. Totally the type of place that after a visit or two they'll remember your name, what you drink, and where you're from.
Christmas Greenery
The Christmas tree is thought to have originated in a play, based on the story of Adam and Eve, and performed in the Middle Ages during the Advent season. The play featured a Paradise Tree in the Garden of Eden that was evergreen and decorated with apples symbolizing fertility and the renewal of life. In 16th century Germany, people would hang apples, gilded candies, colored paper, and roses from tree branches. Queen Victoria is credited with bringing this tradition to England from Germany where her husband, Prince Albert, was raised. The custom immigrated to the United States when German immigrants in Pennsylvania continued to decorate Christmas trees just as they had done in their homeland.
 Wreaths have a long history, dating back to ancient Druids who believed that holly, a perennial evergreen with lush, red berries, was a magical plant. Wreaths were created when holly and other evergreens were arranged in the shape of a circle, which having no beginning or end, symbolizes eternity.
 Holly has been synonymous with the holiday season for centuries. In ancient Rome, holly branches were given as a gesture of friendship during Saturnalia, the winter solstice festival. Druids would decorate their homes with holly during Britain's gloomy winters, believing that the sun always shone on this sacred tree. Likewise, pagans brought holly and other evergreens inside to ensure that Nature would return in the spring.
America's official National Christmas tree is not located at the White House, but rather in King's Canyon National Park near Sanger, California. The tree, a giant Sequoia known as the General Grant Tree, was designated the "Nation's Christmas Tree" in 1925. Considered the world's second largest tree, it is 267 feet high, 40 feet across its base, and is estimated to be around 1650 years old. In 1956, the tree was declared a national shrine. As a memorial, park rangers place a wreath at the base of the tree during the Christmas ceremony, which has been held every year since 1925.
Nautical Phrase of the Month "Between the Devil and the Deep"
In wooden ships, the "devil" was the longest seam of the ship. It ran from the bow to the stern. When at sea and the "devil" had to be caulked, the sailor sat in a bo'sun's chair to get caulking done. While working, he was suspended between the "devil" and the sea (the "deep") a very precarious position, especially when the ship was underway.
Important Reminders
Please remember that leaving oil, gas, bilge water, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, batteries, flares, or any chemicals in the dumpster enclosure or marina property is a direct violation of your Wharfage Agreement and grounds for termination. Please be considerate and avoid making your problem your neighbor's problem by abandoning it on the dock or in the trash area. Pearson's Fuel Dock will take all used oil, fuel, absorbent pads and propane tanks for a very minimal fee, and it's only a short drive away. Don't jeopardize losing your slip for this minor inconvenience. It is unfortunate to think there is anyone at the Sun Harbor who would do something like this since most of us would never dream of it.
Also, please remember that major work on your boat is not allowed in the marina. Such work is also a violation of your Wharfage Agreement and grounds for termination. No power tools are allowed to be left or stored on the docks (keep them inside your boat or at your home).
Nothing should ever be allowed to enter the water. Not only is this a violation of your Wharfage Agreement but it is a potential fine up to $25,000. This is not a boatyard, it is a recreational boating marina. Please be considerate of your fellow boaters and let them enjoy their vessels without having to listen to your power tools.
Finally, Water Hoses: You should never leave the city water hose connected to an unattended boat, even if it's turned off. This is because if another person uses your water connection while you're gone, they could put your hose back on and forget to turn the water off. If there's a failure, your boat could potentially sink at the dock. Fill your fresh water tank and disconnect the hose from your boat for everybody's safety.
Non-toxic Cleaners to Mix on Your Boat
Mixing your own cleaners at home? Why not? There are a many useful books out on the subject, such as Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck, The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier, or Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter and Mikki Halpin. As well as websites such as:
EarthEasy.com, - Housekeeping.About.com, as well as information on what not to mix together such as Chemistry.About.com. I've found it worth getting to know what effective cleaners I already have in the kitchen and laundry room. It's good for the environment, my health, the cleanliness of our house, and our checkbook; mixing just what I need, fresh at home, saves money.
Still, there is still a danger of mixing things together that become dangerous after being mixed. Bleach and ammonia or peroxide should never be mixed, neither should bleach and acids such as ammonia to be found in window cleaners, or cat urine, vinegar, toilet bowl cleaners and lime/calcium/rust removers. Mixing bleach with acid form noxious fumes that may cause nausea, irritation to the eyes and lungs, vomiting and in extreme cases, death. For more information on what not to mix, CLICK HERE
Basic Recipes for Cleaners to Use on Your Boat
Fiberglass Stains - make a paste of baking soda and water. Use a sponge or soft cloth and gently rub the mix into the stain. This paste can also be used to clean onboard showers and heads. While baking soda is an excellent all-around cleaner, keep in mind that it is abrasive, so use with care. Use lemon or lime juice as a final wipe-down for a shiny, fresh-smelling finish.
Windows and Mirrors - mix vinegar, lemon juice and warm water. Fill a spray bottle with the solution. Spray it on your windows and wipe with paper towels or newspapers.
Chrome - use apple cider vinegar on a soft cotton cloth to rub it clean. Then, use a fresh cloth with a dab of baby oil to restore it to a bright shine.
Brass - Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and salt solution
Copper Fittings - make a paste of either lemon or lime juice and salt. Rub gently to clean.
Stainless Steel - clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar.
Aluminum - using a soft cloth, clean with a solution of cream of tartar and water.
Plastic Surfaces - use a mixture of one part white vinegar and two parts warm water.
Decks - use a mixture of one part white vinegar and eight parts warm water.
Interior Woods - can be cleaned by using olive oil or almond oil. The oil will provide natural moisturizers for the wood and add shine at the same time. Don't use these oils on exterior surfaces, however, since they don't hold up in direct sun.
That's it for me this month - see you at the marina.
Kathy OBrien - Sun Harbor Marina
kathy@sun-harbor.com
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How To "Steal" a Boat
- By Kells Christian
 Do you want to learn how?
Of course you do, even if you would never do it, it's fun to read about.
This article will give you some tips on how to steal a boat - legally.
What some people consider to be legalized theft, or buying boats for pennies (okay, maybe dimes) on the dollar, is happening. So how is it done?
Wikipedia defines fair market value as follows:
Fair market value (FMV) is an estimate of the market value of a property, based on what a knowledgeable, willing, and unpressured buyer would probably pay to a knowledgeable, willing, and unpressured seller in the market.
To steal a boat, a normal factor in the sales process has to be different. The seller has to be motivated and the buyer has to find the seller. The most common factor that allows one to steal a boat is financial distress on the part of the seller.
Buying a Boat? Financing It Might Be More Favorable Than Paying Cash!
- By Peggy Bodenreider
I'm sure you all remember that Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve Chairman, announced in August that the Fed would hold interest rates at low levels through at least mid-2013.
 Then he came back in September and announced plans to try and push long-term interest rates down by purchasing long-term securities. Well, it appears to be working – at least in the boat loan arena!
Interest rates on boat and yacht loans are at record lows, with both fixed and adjustable programs available for under than 5%!
At recent boat shows many people have asked me if banks are still lending on boats. There are a handful of national lenders who have been in the boat financing business for a number of years and have weathered the ups and downs of the market.
Though the number of banks making boat loans has dwindled, those left standing recognize the quality of the boat borrower and the value marine lending adds to their portfolio.
There are several reasons to finance your boat or yacht purchase. In reality, it may cost you more if you pay cash. "What?" you ask. Consider these options on financing versus paying cash:
- Free up your cash for other investments – like college tuition, business ventures, or liquid investments.
- The interest expense on the boat loan may be deductible – consult with your tax advisor to see if the boat mortgage interest could be deducted as a 2nd home.
- Let your money work for you – your after-tax interest expense over 3-5 years could be less than earnings on investments.
- Equity loans are not readily available if you need cash – you can recoup a portion of your cash if you finance within 90 days of purchase. Loans may be available for upgrading electronics, equipment, or machinery.
Over the next few issues look for my tips on financing your boat purchase or refinancing your current boat loan.
 Peggy Bodenreider is the West Coast representative with Sterling Acceptance Boat Loans.
You can email your boat loan questions to her to peggy@sterlingacceptance.com.
"Tommy's Favorites" - Boating Product of the Month
- By Tom Jarvis
Wouldn't it be nice if some company had a product to help you mount heavy items or even light items without welding or fiber glassing a material in place on a substrate to screw something onto?
 Well, David Estabrook did just that with his company called Weld Mount. The Weld Mount products allow one to mount components to the bulkheads or overheads whether the substrate is cored fiberglass, steel, or aluminum.
This system eliminates drilling holes or welding which reduces labor costs and increases ease of installation.
There are a variety of Acrylic Adhesives to choose from and they vary in open working times and dry times. For example, the AT - 6030 is a two component, structural adhesive with outstanding bonding capabilities for metals, carbon fiber composites and most plastics. The lap sheer strength is 2800 PSI within 24 hours and it reaches 80% of that amount in 45 minutes.
The fasteners system includes wire tie mounts, hose, wire, and cable clamps, studs, standoffs and floating nut plates.
Mr. Estabrook has created a great product line that has saved countless hours in labor expense and has provided the installer an easy solution to a myriad of potential problems.
Check out the Weld Mount website to see all of their product line and some great training videos.800-336-7369
 Editor's Note: Tom Jarvis is the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the SuperYacht Association, and he also performs outside Marketing and Sales for the San Diego Marine Exchange.
Click Here to email your boating product questions to Tom..
Boating Tip of the Month -
Running Before the Sea
If you're out on a cruise or in a narrow channel and the swells are coming at you directly from behind, running directly before them is safe only if your boat's stern can be reasonably up to the swells without being thrown around off course.
In heavy seas, a boat tends to rush down a slope from crest to trough, and if the stern gets too high, the propeller(s) can come up out of the water and race.
Also, the rudder can lose its grip and let the sea take charge of the stern as the bow "digs in". If this happens, the boat may yaw so badly as to "broach" and be thrown broadside into the trough.
Power boats that have been designed with a broad beam should be particularly careful with a following sea because as the width of the transom increases, the potential to yaw and possibly broach increases as well.
Slowing down to let the swells pass under the boat usually will generally reduce yawing, but if you get caught in this situation, you must take every action to ensure that the boat doesn't broach.
BlueSkyNews PC Tip of the Month - Desktop Photo Slide Show
 Do you just sit and stare at the same desktop photo on your PC for months on end?
Well, if you have Windows 7, you can add some variety to your desktop and spice things up a lot.
To do it, just put your favorite photos in a file anywhere on your hard drive. Then "Right-Click" anywhere on your desktop; choose the "Personalize" selection; then the "Desktop Slide Show" option.
Browse for the file with your photos and select it, and you're done!
Note: There is an option to specify how often you want the desktop photo to change. Try it; you'll really like it!
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