Lake Chabot Row & EBS - Sat March 14

[Thorne]

OK -- we will set the date for both Lake Chabot Row and the EBS for next Saturday, March 14.

Lake Chabot Row - we'll launch around 1 and pull out about 5. $2 fee, boats must be carried or dollied from the parking lot, no trailer-launching. http://www.ebparks.org/parks/lake_chabot

This will be WEATHER PERMITTING -- I'll send my cellphone # to possible participants for any late-breaking news if the weather is iffy. If it is bucketing down rain we'll cancel, but will go ahead and row if just sprinkling.

I'm still working on finding a nearby friendly pub with safe boat parking for the EBS, and will announce the location of same later in the week.

Wherever it ends up, the EBS will be in the East Bay and start around 6pm, ending around 9pm.

We know that Banjoman can't make it, but can others planning on attending let me know if they will be there for the row, the EBS or both? Thanks!

[Thorne]

Bump.

Do let me know which you can attend.

My Cosine Wherry can carry two guests, so don't worry if you don't have a lightweight boat for this row. I suspect there will be open spots in a few other boats for galley slaves....er...guests.

Bring lunch stuff for the row, boat stuff (for show'ntell, trade or giveaway) to the EBS.

More info on the Park and launch fees, $5/vehicle, $4/trailer, $2/launch -
http://www.ebparks.org/activities/boatingsailing#lakechabot

[Thorne]

John Carlson is going to check the water level at the lake today, and I may also swing by to check the lake access plus scout for a safe place to park the boats & cars in Castro Valley or nearby.

[BobW]

Will be there for the EBS. Let me know where...

Would like to make the row - but a couple of things need to fall in place before I know if that'll work. I should know by Monday.

Bob

[Thorne]

Checked out the parking and launch area yesterday. There is an additional boat-inspection fee of $3 (fresh-water mussel threat), so that takes the launch + inspection total to $5. Add to that the parking fee and trailer fee and you get $10 for cartop boats and $14 per vehicle with trailer.

We can park up on the roadway outside of the park and save the trailer and parking fees, but the area isn't very safe -- saw one broken window on a car. Probably better to just pay the $ and have protected parking -- we'll use the upper lot for any trailers.

Distance from the nearest end of the parking lot to the ramp is just over 200 steps, so some sort of boat dolly is recommended, although you can just set the boat down and rest if carrying it with two people.

Here's a photo of the launch area, water level looks OK and there is decent dock space.
http://www.luckhardt.com/chabot-launcharea1.jpg

Didn't have much luck in the EBS location search, nothing nearby looked safe for boats on trailers or on cars. Still looking, will update here when I find a good pub...

[Thorne]

My local friends confirm that Horatio's is a good restaurant with safe parking. I called there today and got reservations,so let's plan on having the EBS there starting 6-ish....

http://www.r-u-i.com/hor/maps.php

Horatio's also is easy to find -- just hit Marina Dr. and head west, then angle left/south a bit at the marina entrance.

- D

[JC 72]

Thanks for checking the lake Saturday Thorne. I was at the fire house until Sunday morning. Came home to find that someone had thrown a river cobble stone through my in-laws front window across the street from us. Same goons also broke the back window of a parked car a few houses away. My eldest boy and I took them a hunk of plywood and some duct tape and patched it up. Then we took them to church and cooked them breakfast. He is 92 and she is 87.

[Thorne]

I've been feverishly building a boat trolley-ish sorta contraption, but due to the violation of several laws of physics am not sure if it will work or not without marring the varnish and wood-- but the boat can also be carried if needed.

Also making DF oarlock pads for the wherry, as it currently only has some funky ones for the center thwart. The first set of oarlock pads, those for the forward thwart, are now in place and ready to row.

Still looking for the right dimension DF for the second set, don't think I'll put in an aft thwart at this time -- the sternsheets will do for passengers, and I don't plan on doubles rowing. For most boats I'd make them out of WO, but since the wherry is super-lightweight I used DF and probably should have tried cedar of some sort.

[BobW]

Okay, so it is Tuesday... but things have fallen into place... I can be at Lake Chabot around 12:30 on Saturday...

So... I guess I'm asking if I can claim one of those empty seats? Please?

In case those boat inspectors care, I also need to borrow a PFD (what happened to mine is one of those stories I'd rather not go into...)

Thanks

Bob

[rddrappo]

I'm not going to make it this time. Work picked up this week, got three small projects to do and a full bath and kitchen remodel that I started today. I'll be stuck working all weekend, but can't really complain. One of these days I'll get to meet y'all.

[JC 72]

David, I've got some nice old growth DF in smallish pieces. I can bring you some Saturday if you give me a rough measurment. I also have a furniture dolly that will work if you don't get to building one for the Cosine by then. We put Merryrows on it today and it worked fine. It has carpet on it, so the varnish won't suffer. John

[Thorne]

Rdrappo -

Well with the short notice, certainly don't blame anyone for missing this EBS! I'll start planning a LOT earlier for the next one -- unless someone else wants to herd this particular group o' kittens??

;0 )

Bob -- sounds like perfect timing, will have a PDF and seat reserved for you.

JC -- Really quite small pieces for two oarlock pads, about 2" thick x 8" long x 3" tall -- looking for the VG to run, well, vertically.

We will meet in the Marina area upper parking log, which is also where we'll park the trailers (if any). Remember that any boats will have to pass the mussel inspection, which takes time as the very nice Park guard is busy taking parking fees.

DIRECTIONS -
http://www.ebparks.org/parks/lake_chabot
Below are the directions from the Park website. For those coming from the north on I-580, the Fairmont exit is the best and most direct. Exit is marked "150th Ave & Fairmont", get in the left lane and go across 150th, then left up Fairmont and over the big hill to the Park.


In Castro Valley on I-580 westbound, take the Strobridge Avenue exit. Turn right on Strobridge, right on Castro Valley Boulevard, and left on Lake Chabot Road. The Lake Chabot Marina is about two miles ahead on the right.



In Castro Valley on I-580 eastbound, exit at Redwood Road and go left, go left at Castro Valley Boulevard, right at Lake Chabot Road, and follow the directions above.



From I-580 in San Leandro, exit at Fairmont Drive and go east (uphill). The marina entrance will be to the left at the bottom of the hill. (parking fee).

[rddrappo]

Thanks Thorne. You can keep herdin' kittens. I'd love to make it, but right now I have to make every dollar I can. Feast or famine, and right now it's feast time. The GF is mad that I'm so busy, but until I win the lottery I gotta keep working. Anyway, hopefully next time around. Y'all have fun and post some pics.

[Thorne]

Bump.

Anyone who is interested can just show up tomorrow between noon and one, or post a reply here.

JC and Bob -- see ya there!

[David G]

Twin - unsurprisingly, I won't be there. But I'll be thinking of you enviously as I dig in the garden all day. What we need are sail-powered shovels, forks, and hoes :p Y'all have a great time. I'll be sure to hoist one in the evening - in honor of your EBS.


"Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade" -- Rudyard Kipling

[JC 72]

See ya tomorrow. John and the lads.

[BobW]

Looking forward to it.

Bob

[Thorne]

Well the weather was windy and cold, but we rowed Lake Chabot anyway.

Bob and I manfully launched my wherry, after getting her bottom inspected for mussels - here's the staffer feeling said bottom -

http://www.luckhardt.com/cb-inspection1.jpg

My transom-mounted dolly was just hours old, glue still a bit damp, but it worked well -
http://www.luckhardt.com/cb-dolly1.jpg

Bob and I rowed up the NW arm, going all the way to the end.

http://www.luckhardt.com/cb-shore1.jpg




http://www.luckhardt.com/cb-bob1.jpg


http://www.luckhardt.com/merryrow1.jpg

http://www.luckhardt.com/merryrow2.jpg

[Thorne]

Unknown to us John and his sons rowed up the eastern arm into Honker Bay. We met them rowing up the NW arm as Bob and I were sailing briskly south in the frigid wind and following swells.
http://www.ebparks.org/files/u10/Lake_Chabot_Trailmap.gif


We pulled the boats up on the western shore and had lunch, but it got too cold in the wind, so we rowed back to the ramp and the small cafe.

http://www.luckhardt.com/cb-merryrow2.jpg

http://www.luckhardt.com/cb-merryrow1.jpg



After coffee and french fries, we trolleyed the boats back to the parking lot. John and the boys headed off to dinner at relative's home, while Bob and I cruised over to Horatio's for a mini-EBS and nice but expensive repast.

[BobW]

Home again...

It was a fine outing, despite the overcast skies, the sharp wind and the cool temperatures. I had a great time, met some new friends and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Dinner was good, albeit a tad expensive.

Thanks for the ride and the boat building ideas. I'm looking forward to the next EBS!

Bob

PS. I'll post pics as soon as I figure out why Photobucket won't let me access my pics - or I set up an account with another photo hosting site.

[BobW]

Well, after much finagling, I figured out how to post a picture here (why is it that each site/forum/bulletin board has a slightly different method for this?)

John and sons...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3355094059_4c1105cbd8.jpg?v=0

Returning to the marina...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3355083335_5df4ab554b.jpg?v=0

Thorne rowing...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3355094489_7217bb694b.jpg?v=0

Again, it was a great day on the water.

Bob

[JC 72]

Thanks for posting the pics you guys. Forgot my camera in my haste to get in the wet. We had a great time. That was the first time we ever "sailed" down wind without a sail. Bob it was a pleasure to meet you. Best of luck with your boat build, what ever design you choose. Sorry "Hairy Toes" was so pricey. We did our best to consume the 30lbs of corned beef, later. That with the rowing and fresh air put us in a stupor after supper. What do you think, first annual Thorne?

[David G]

Twin - that Wherry is looking very fine.

[Thorne]

Well, the (temp) CDX plywood thwarts notwithstanding, it it coming along.

Gotta get two thwarts and some long inwales (the latter for the neglected H. Rowboat) out of a big plank of spruce I bought last year, then it will start to look better on the inside.

[Eric Hvalsoe]

Well, after much finagling, I figured out how to post a picture here (why is it that each site/forum/bulletin board has a slightly different method for this?)

John and sons...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3355094059_4c1105cbd8.jpg?v=0

Returning to the marina...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3355083335_5df4ab554b.jpg?v=0

Thorne rowing...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3355094489_7217bb694b.jpg?v=0

Again, it was a great day on the water.

Bob

Damn, John that is a pretty boat, you ought to write a story.
And a nice cosine wherry too. After a rather bare winter I have secured a HV 16 commission for an Ontario client. Happy rowing, and sailing in the future.
Eric

[JC 72]

Thanks Eric, She isn't a Hvalsoe design, but you sure did a great job with the build. In fairness, Bob Baker knew his way'round a sweet sheer and transom. Thanks to Thorne and BobW for the photos.
Glad to here there is another Hvalsoe 16 in the works! John