Cyril Kollock Reflects on His Grandfathers’s 110 Sailing Days
After sharing our Good Jibes podcast “Milly Biller on Lifelong 110 Sailing” last month, we were contacted by Cyril Kollock who, after enjoying the podcast, happened upon a photo of his grandfather aboard a 110. Cyril wrote, “Great podcast with Millie, this pic just popped up at my mom’s house. My grandfather sailing a 110 in ‘53. Thanks to your podcast I made the 110 connection.” And although his grandfather owned the 110 before Cyril came along, the youngster did get to sail with his grandfather aboard his next boat, the Shields. Cyril sent us a few beautiful old photos of his family sailing in the 1930s, ’50s, and ’80s.
“They [Ocean City Yacht Club] had a fleet of around 15. The only fleet south of NY. NY had several fleets, as did Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. [There were a] few in the Great Lakes and a lot on the West Coast. S.F. and San Diego with the largest fleets. By the late ’60s my grandfather, Dave Kollock, had moved to bigger boat (Shields).”
Cyril’s grandfather Dave was from Philadelphia. Cyril remembers sailing with him a few times aboard his Shields in the Ocean City, New Jersey, area, when he was very young.
Cyril reconnected with sailing around two years ago, right as things were starting to move a little after the COVID shutdowns. “I went out a few times with a friend, I was hooked and wanted more. I found Modern Sailing and after my 101, I loved learning and continued to my current certification of Bareboat 104.”
“Sailing has really transformed my life, it’s a great way to spend time with friends and family. Chartering from Modern Sailing has allowed me to share the experience and the feeling of getting back to the dock after a day out, [it] is fantastic. That and the Bay Area racing community have both been keeping me busy. You really see the Bay from a different perspective and time has a way of pausing when you are out.”
Angel Island Ferry To Go Electric in 2024
“They” have been saying it will happen, and over time, it actually is happening. As electric propulsion becomes more refined, it has also become more mainstream and is finding its way into all areas of the transport sector. In the latest local “electrification” news, Angel Island Ferry has announced a partnership with PG&E to develop California’s first zero-emission, electric propulsion short-route ferry beginning in 2024.
The announcement was released in PR Newswire earlier this week. “We are very excited that the Angel Island will be the first of the short-run ferries in California to be 100% zero-emission, as our company continues supporting the natural environment of the Bay and our beautiful state park,” said Captain Maggie McDonogh, fourth-generation owner and operator of the Angel Island ferry.
PG&E’s EV Fleet Program helps medium- and heavy-duty fleet customers easily and cost-effectively install charging infrastructure via construction support and financial incentives. Through the collaboration with Angel Island Ferry, PG&E plans to bolster electricity transmission to the ferry terminal and support the installation of charging infrastructure to help power the 59-ft, 400-passenger vessel.
“We are excited to support and collaborate on its conversion to an electric propulsion vessel,” said Lydia Krefta, PG&E’s director for clean energy transportation. “For years, PG&E has been leading the way toward California’s clean energy transportation future and supporting our customers as they electrify their vehicle fleets. This partnership marks a significant expansion of our resources beyond land-based electric vehicles, and it demonstrates how we deliver for our hometowns and in support of California’s clean energy goals.”
California-based company Green Yachts will transform the Angel Island to an electric propulsion vessel. Green Yachts managing broker Graham Balch said the project wouldn’t be possible without sufficient electrical supply for fast charging between ferry runs. Compared to an electric semi-truck requirement of two kWh to go one mile, the Angel Island requires 30 kWh to go one mile. “The increased energy requirement per mile shows the significant challenge associated with electrifying the marine sector,” Balch said.
Captain Maggie McDonogh said the project could not proceed without the support Angel Island Ferry receives as a participant in PG&E’s EV Fleet Program.”It shows that PG&E supports small family-owned businesses like ours that are trying to reduce emissions.”
We look forward to seeing the result of this project and the future electrification of other major ferry services across the Bay.
Don’t Miss Richmond Yacht Club Sail a Small Boat Day
Ocean Plastics Meet Turtle, Again
On a recent relaxing, sunny sail along the coast of Mexico, a tragedy was averted when Mike Casey and the crew aboard the Perry 56 Foxfire spotted plastics in the ocean, which, upon further inspection, again showed a turtle completely tangled in fishing line and plastic containers. The crew circled closer and, seeing the turtle in distress, quickly doused sails and closed in to grab the ensnared turtle. Sadly, it’s not uncommon for sealife to face this scourge.
At the time, Foxfire was on a reach off Punta Farallon between Chamela and Tenacatita. As Mike said, it was a lot easier to manage with Foxfire‘s “sugar scoop” transom.
They’re not the first cruisers to join the “cruisers hall of fame” for both saving wildlife and removing plastics from the ocean, but they’ve joined many who continue to make these contributions to ocean health.
Those of us who have done MOB (Man Overboard) drills know how quickly it gets very difficult to see a head or anything bobbing in the water in the vastness of the oceans. Given the scale of the sea it’s easy to imagine many scenes like this that never serendipitously cross the path of a helpful cruiser.
This type of rescue reminds us of the story of the dad and daughter walking down the beach at low tide with the daughter picking up starfish and throwing them back into deeper water. The father finally says, “Honey, it doesn’t matter; you’re never going to save all these starfish.” The daughter replies, “It matters to that one.”
Mary Crowley’s Ocean Voyages Institute in Sausalito has been working for years to reduce the amount of plastics in the oceans, and she recently won the Diana Russell Award from the Cruising Club of America for her efforts. Additionally, The Ocean Cleanup Project is also busy working to rid the oceans of plastic. However, we all know it’s best not to buy plastic and let it get to the oceans in the first place.
Our current, February issue includes a story of Mike and crew Aidan O’Sullivan and Don Winglewich aboard Foxfire on their “Mas Despacio” sail down the coast of Baja in November.
St. Francis Yacht Club Offers Spring Sailing Education Opportunities
St. Francis Yacht Club has announced four 2023 spring sailing education courses. The classes include Women’s J/22 Spring Race Instruction Team, Match Racing Clinic Series, Get Your Feet Wet — an introduction to sailing — and the J/80 Ladies. Program information is as follows:
Women’s J/22 Spring Race Instruction Team
All participants attend a classroom lecture March 8, 6–7:30 p.m., that will get them conceptually primed for high-caliber, short-course club racing on the Cityfront. Then they will share an entry in the 2023 StFYC J/22 Spring Series and race with volunteer coaches on one or more Wednesday nights, March 15, 22, 29, and April 5, 12, 5–8:30 p.m. This program is designed for experienced women sailors who want to learn strategy and tactics and experience competition with coaching support. Up to 10 spots are available, first come, first served to qualified applicants. Registration opens for StFYC members today, all others February 24. Program fee per individual: $50.
Match Racing Clinic Series
Accomplished match racer Nicole Breault will lead classroom sessions from 6–7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, March 21, 28, and April 4, focusing on key aspects of the match-racing game and briefing participants for Thursday practices, 5:30–9 p.m. March 23, 30, and April 6. The ideal candidate is one with solid fleet-racing experience who is ready for intense boat handling in close quarters with another boat while being tested in the tactical nuances of this advanced discipline. Having J/22 (or other small-keelboat) experience highly recommended. Both juniors and adults are encouraged to sign up. Up to 16 spots available, with four skipper spots going to qualified applicants on a first come, first served basis. Registration opens for StFYC members today, all others February 24. Program fee per individual: $130.
Get Your Feet Wet
This program introduces people to the joys of sailing aboard the club’s J/80! Volunteer coaching, organized this year by StFYC member Alex Salogub, will provide instruction for members and guests who consider themselves beginner- to intermediate-level sailors who are new or rusty at handling a small boat on San Francisco Bay. Up to three spots are available for each class, first come, first served, $60 per individual. Stay tuned for scheduled dates, starting in April.
J/80 Ladies
Ladies’ morning spring classes will be offered to StFYC members on Thursdays from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. twice per month. All levels welcome! Instruction is flexible based on the skill level and interests of participants. The first two classes will be March 16 and March 23 — thanks to Katie White and Pam Healy for volunteering to coach. Up to three spots are available for each class, first come, first served, $60 per individual.
The first two programs opened for StFYC members today, and will be available for others to register starting next Friday, February 24.
For full details go to: St. Francis Yacht Club/Sailing Education.
Westwind Yacht Management — Washing, Waxing and Varnishing
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