Most sailors at MBYC have the impression that the Power Fleet is primarily a social group, but that's far from true. This fleet has a wide range of activities, including cruising, fishing, predicted log racing, race committee for ocean races, as well as running the annual fish fry, which has raised many dollars to support our club.
In the fondly-remembered Days of Yesteryear (AKA the early sixties, when the fleet was formed), the fishing was excellent, and MBYC's Power Fleet would make long, all-day runs to south of the Coronado Islands. They have stories to tell about the great catches made there, but the big fish stocks dwindled, leaving the fleet to devote itself to more varied interests. Now the primary activity is cruising. Numerous weekend trips are made to San Diego Bay, staying over at various clubs or anchoring out. Each spring, an annual cruise is held (with the Racing/Cruising Fleet) to Ensenada. This lasts a week, and usually draws about 4-5 power boats. A two-week cruise is held at the end of July, again with the R/C Fleet. This attracts about 7-1 0 power boats.
The Power Fleet supports sailboat racing in a number of ways. It provides a boat for each ocean races, and has donated many hours of labor helping to maintain the racing infrastructure, working on such items as barca and chase boat repair and overhauls.
Predicted log racing is another fleet activity. Our fleet runs one each July out of MBYC and participates in ten others out of San Diego Bay. According to Dick Devlin, predicted log racing is a cruising/navigation exercise in which the skipper, using wind forecasts, predicts how long it will take to get to checkpoints. An observer on board records the times, and he/she carries the only watch! The skipper, in a real test of navigation skill, must rely only on his tachometer and compass.
Each Year, the Power Fleet puts on its annual Fish Fry. This year it will be on November 16. This is a really big event, and it is the major source of funding for the fleet. The money is used, among other things, for club improvements, the 4th of July fireworks, as well as donations for special sailing events, such as Doug Hart's Snipe Worlds. Each June, the Power Fleet provides boats for the Wheelchair Regatta. At 14 boats, MBYC's fleet was clearly the largest supporter of the event. It also supports the Crew Classic, providing guard, perimeter and message boats.
Lastly, we should note that the Power Fleet leads the 4th of July Parade and sponsors as well as participates in the Parade of Lights at Christmas.
December Report
We had our Annual Fish Fry on November 11, 2006 and I know all that were able to attend enjoyed a marvelous meal of Mahi Mahi, Baked Beans, Coleslaw and dinner rolls and for dessert there were 3 or four cake choices plus there was spaghetti for the kids (and grownups who do not like fish.) The Fish Fry is our annual fundraiser that enables our fleet to help the club and our community. Proceeds from the event are used to support the Power Fleet and assist our club and community in events such as the annual Independence Day Mission Bay Firework Display; the Children's Fishing Derby; the Wheel Chair Regatta; Military Appreciation Days; the Crew Classic Rowing Regatta and the Christmas Boat Parade of Lights.
Every year we raffle off thousands of dollars worth of prizes and hold both a silent auction and live auction giving the more than 170 attendees the opportunity to win. But nobody went home a loser.
I want to acknowledge a few individuals who really made the Annual Fish Fry Extravaganza possible:
First and foremost, My Mom, Cecelia White. She, as they say was at the "pointy end of the spear" and was the single biggest force behind all aspects of this years fish fry. Also, we were blessed to have Pat Krebs, who year after year has made her secret formula tarter sauce. Also, there were those who took time hours before the event to decorate, they included Muppy Hagler, Meg Newcome and Diane Bernard, Pat and Don Krebs, Ray and Brian Yutrezenka and Pat Row.
My brother, Eddie White, Ray Yutrzenka and Dan Clary made the calls to our local friends and vendors who sponsored our fund raiser. Without these three gentlemen, I can assure you we would not have had the excellent selection of merchandise.
Continuing, I must thank Betty Lou Janney for her efforts in putty together the beautiful baskets that were sold at the silent auction. Of course, she had her helpers, Sue Pasterkiewicz, Pat Row, Jean Jennings, Nedia Bacon, Cindy Vanderspek, Susie Blodget and Kyle Vanderspek. These ladies really dressed up the baskets and did a fantastic job with the presentation. Kyle did so much running around for these ladies he is ready for a marathon.
Our gratitude for the wonderful meal goes to our Chef Christopher Higgins, our Souchef Alex Fatoohi, and our Food and Beverage Manager David Krugman.
Of course we owe our deepest gratitude to our local friends and vendors who contributed so generously. Please see the insert in the Mainstay for the list, they were numerous and I thank them.
I would like to thank Dan Clary, with a masterful gift of gab, and an ability to keep an audience's attention for three or more hours, for being our Master of Ceremonies. He shared those responsibilities with Sam Janney. To both of you I am very grateful. They were assisted by my Dad, Dave White, Sr., Ray Yutrezenka who kept the prizes moving along with a bunch or Power Fleet Children. Thanks to Lori Longstreet and Nedia Bacon and Meg Newcome for selling raffle tickets and Chris Barr for helping with the dinner ticket sales. And Finally, thanks go out to the many who worked the "Chow Line" I'm sure I will miss some but I know I saw Lou Bedford, Mark Haigler, Hugh Vanderspeck, Mike Pasterkiewicz, Don and Pat Krebs and John Row serving it up. Thanks to all!
Thanks,
David
The Power Fleet
Would like to express our sincere gratitude to the generosity
of the individuals and businesses below who sponsored our
Annual Fish Fry Dinner:
1 Allan Solheim
2 Boomers
3 Brian Yutrzenka
4 Broken Yoke Café
5 Callaway Vineyard & Winery
6 Camille's of PB
7 Canvas Services
8 Catamaran Resort Hotel
9 Cicchetto Yacht Service
10 Coronado Cays Yacht Club
11 Dan Clary & Mary Saska
12 Driscoll Mission Bay
13 Fast Lane Sailing Center
14 Good Time Charlie's
15 H & M Landing
16 In-N-Out Burger
17 Just Rewards
18 Marine Max
19 Mr. & Mrs. Chuck Weber
20 Mr. & Mrs. Mike Pasterkiewicz
21 Mr. & Mrs. Ray Quidort
22 Mr. & Mrs. Sam Janney
23 Pacific Marine Supply
24 Paradise Point Resort & Spa
25 Ray & Chris Yutrzenka
26 Rubio's Restaurants Inc.
27 San Diego Marine Exchange
28 San Diego Maritime Museum
29 San Diego Padres
30 Saska's Steak House
31 Sea World
32 Shelter Island Marine
33 Silver Gate Yacht Club
34 Skin Care Extraordinaire
35 Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes
36 The Boat Store
37 The French Gourmet
38 Theo's Restaurants
39 Ultra Star Cinemas
40 Ultrazone
41 Viejas Enterprises Allied Plaza
42 Walter Anderson Ent., Inc.
43 West Marine
44 Wind an Sea Surf Boards
45 Zoological Society of San Diego
46 The Liquid Foundation
47 Fred Limpke
48 John & Pat Row
49 Cecilia & Dave White