The Mainsheet - April 2026
Start of 2026 Sailing Season, AYC is “on the money” ! (overheard at Superbowl Party)
The Commodore’s Compass
The month of March started off 2026 with our first race, St Patrick's Day race and dinner. Thanks go to Marshall and Alan for race committee and Regina for cooking the corned beef and cabbage dinner. It was a light wind day with all boats completing the courses. I’d like to remind all that members who are hosting are buying the food for our dinners based on who reserved or notified the host. Everyone is welcome to our dinners, but we need to allow those who reserved to eat first. That being said, please come by even without the notice as there is almost always extra dinners. We had a great party with our Open Mic in March, 21 musicians and great grub and grog served with the live music. Next Open Mic April 19th.
Racing season is upon us at last, with our Opening Day Ceremony on April 12th. We will need everyone's help to get the season off running smoothly. April 10th will be a pizza night dinner with everyone participating in the Spring Clean Up. Bar will be open! Its a fun night, please participate.
April 11th we are hosting Ventura Sailing Club's Anacapa Arch Race,( I will refer to it as the AA race). Its more boat parade than race, with start at Mandalay 11 am, to a mark at the arch and back to CIH. The race is free, enter at their web site. First time racers and cruisers this is the race for you! At our club after the race, my home-made bison chili and fresh burgers, with full bar will be open about three.
That brings us to April 12th, our Opening Day Ceremony. As Gary Goodman, reminded me, "This is a very big deal". We will begin at 10 am sharp. We will need members to provide brunch items for our guests to eat. The bar will be open and we need members there early to help set up. More on the Opening Day Ceremony will be shared April 10th at the clean up party.
Before I sign off, Id like to thank Mike Taylor, for a lot of hard work getting Piper ready for our race season. Id like to thank Regina Hernandez for long hours at her computer putting together our budget to get us through our season, and to see that grub and grog are ready to serve at the club. And finally, many thanks to Marshall who helps us get through in many different ways. Ill see you all on the water soon.
Chuck
VC Pete and the Piglets
Vice Commodore’s Comment
I’m not home right now—I’m on the other side of the world—and I have to admit, I wish I could be there for Opening Day. It’s the one time of year I actually break out the blue blazer and white pants.
Back at the club, you’re heading into racing season again—and didn’t that year go fast? First race is April 8th, so take note. It’s always a great excuse to get out on the water, and even if you can’t sail, it’s just as good a reason to show up afterward, swap stories, and spend time with fellow boaters at the club.
Over here in the Philippines, I may have the chance to work with a maritime academy—helping cadets learn to sail and race their regattas. It’s made me think a lot about AYC. I know many of you have sailed far beyond our home waters—crossing oceans and putting plenty of blue water under your keel. I envy that. But I’ve also been reminded of something simple…
Sailing is a universal language.
No matter where you go, there’s that instant connection—experience, respect, fun, and just enough competitiveness to keep it interesting. It really is a kind of pirate’s gold we all get to carry with us.
As for me, I’ve apparently got pigs to feed this morning. Truth be told, I’d much rather be out on the committee boat dropping the mark. In the meantime, I’m working on getting our burgee flying in a few clubs over here.
So get out there, enjoy the start of the season, and make the most of it. From this side of the world, I’ll be thinking of you.
Pete
CLUB DINNERS AND SOCIAL EVENTS:
Planned for APRIL:
Wednesday-8 - First Wet Wednesday Race - Chuck, Regina
Thursday- 9 - Bridge and Board Meeting
Friday-10 - Pizza Night & Club Clean-up - All hands on deck!
Sunday- 12 - Opening Day - All hands on deck!
Wednesday- 15 - Wet Wednesday Race - Geoff Walsh
Saturday- 18 -Anacapa Anyway Race - Race Committee
Sunday- 19 - Open Mic
Wednesday - 22 - Wet Wednesday Race - Mike Taylor
Saturday - 25 - General Meeting & Dinner - Lorenz
Wednesday - 29 -Wet Wednesday Race - Matt
It’s a photo at SBYC. Looks like 20 guys on board, no sunscreen, no PFDs, and out of control. Since it’s the start of race season, thought it may be kind of a reminder to be prudent on the water. Let’s have some good fun!
Rear Commodore’s News
Opening Day for AYC will be April 12th this year.
Racing and Cruising
AYC has a full season of racing and cruising planned for this season. St. Patrick’s day race followed by Anacapa anyway April 18, Anacapa to port May 2 and Wes Golemon Memorial Race August 22. Go to Anacapayachtclub.org keep up on all the races. Wet Wednesdays will start April 8 with burgers, drinks and awards at the club after.
RACE COMMITTEE needs volunteers to help, you don’t need to be a racer to enjoy the fun and excitement. If you would like to get involved in a time honored racing tradition let me know, rearcommodore@anacapayachtclub.org.
A Tale of anchoring at Smuggler’s Harbor
A few years ago, my friend Duncan Macneil along with his partner sailed to Smuggler’s for lunch and a day’s visit.
They had just procured a new anchor for the Catalina 42 they were sailing. I believe it was stainless, over size, and thus expensive. When they were ready to return to the Channel Islands Harbor the anchor would not lift. All attempts from the deck did not produce a retrieval. They did not dive on the anchor and finally decided to cut the rode. There is a very nice anchor down there somewhere.
How could this happen? My theory is that they hooked a dead anchor chain from a wrecked vessel. There are five wrecks documented at Smugglers. They can be studied on the web site “ISLAPEDIA”. It is possible that anchors and rodes were abandoned from these wrecks. My solution to avoid the same fate is to carry a small grappling style anchor. These have folding flukes and store easily. It can be lowered directly above the stuck anchor to attempt a pull on the stuck anchor or the derelict chain that may free the tangle.
Of course one can dive the anchor to find the solution. Just remember the legend of the abandoned pet gold fish that now lives at smugglers. He has grown very large munching on divers.
See you there, leave the gold fish at home!
AYC Rear Commodore Lorenz Perner
IN CONCLUSION,
AYC is our club! Members, please connect us with your boating by sending announcements, your pictures, ideas , and any content you wish to be put in next month’s MAINSHEET to mainsheet@anacapayachtclub.org by APRIL 26, 2026. Thanks.
Opening Day 2026
Please RSVP to
