Fellow Boaters: Since becoming your Commander last spring we have grown through some interesting challenges. Sept. 2005 we only had a total of 8 Boating students, 5 Piloting students and no Boat Pro (PCOC). For the spring session we spent money on advertising which included a mobile sign in Chingaucousy Park and advertisements in the Brampton Guardian Newspaper. Along with interest from the Toronto International Boat Show and a large email blitz (thanks to Rich & Rick) this increased our student membership to a total of 25 Boating, 20 Boat Pro and 5 Marine Maintenance for our spring 2006 session.

We moved our classes from North Park Secondary School (several years ago) to Fortino's and now to our current location at John Knox Christian School, 87 McLaughlin Road which is south of Queen St. on the east side. This move greatly lowered our overhead since classroom fees are one of our major expenditures. The school also gives us flexibility in the number of classrooms available. We also have a classroom designated as a coffee lounge. I would like to invite our membership and friends to come out any Tuesday to visit our students, share some of the boating experiences and have a Tim's coffee on us. Our coffee break is normally at 2000 hrs, all classes are in the north-east wing.

We are having some special bridge meetings (first Wednesday of every month) with some very interesting guest speakers and presentations, so please check our web page for dates and locations.

We need to continue to upgrade our teaching lectures and give good value for our student’s dollars. We have purchased a laptop and 2 multimedia projectors and will strive to keep all our courses as current as possible by utilizing all the new technology which is available to us.

We offered last fall a "cooking class for boaters" which was very successful and was fully booked.

Our Squadron had a rendezvous last summer at Kirkfield liftlock but unfortunately the turn out was poor due to bad weather.

We are joining our York West District and our American friends from USPS District D-6 for a rendezvous at the Port Credit Yacht Club on July 24 – 27 2006 (Monday - Thursday). There are many activities planned so please join us by water or by land. Contact me for more details.

Our Squadron AGM will be held on Monday May 8th at John Knox Christian School at 1930hrs. Light snacks and coffee will be available.

Our grad night will be held on Thursday June 1st at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel at Steeles Ave. and Rutherford Rd. (close to Costco). This will be our season wrap-up and our last social event before the fall sessions begin in September. This will be a casual event with a beautiful buffet and not only the graduation ceremony but a great opportunity for our new and seasoned members, friends and family, and prospective members to get together.

I would not only like to continue with the emphasis on advertising of our classes, improving our quality of lectures but to increase our social activities and offer different venues. All our members (and friends) have a lot in common and I would like to offer many events in the upcoming year for all to enjoy.

I would like to see a social committee formed which could organize outings like dinner theatres, night at the track, cruises, movie nights, dances, wine tours etc..etc..!

If you could spare a few hours a month, we would benefit from your volunteering and help with some of the activities. I will continue to arrange special speakers and presentations for some of our bridge meetings.

We need more volunteers from within our membership. Current membership is over 290 strong, however only a handful actually get involved. Volunteering can be very rewarding and time well spent. Considering our CPS organization is built on people who care and give back not only our community but the boating fraternity and make boating a safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Please consider volunteering.

I would encourage every member to visit their “Members Mooring” at our national web site for a very important survey which could change CPS for ever! Our governing board has brought a key proposal which will have major…MAJOR changes to our entire organization starting with the name CPS, advertising, right down to our dress code. Please read over and complete the survey, it could change everything.

Our newly revised website (thanks Rick, it looks great) will keep you up to date regarding the Brampton Squadron.

http://brampton.cps-ecp.org (check our Links section for interesting boating Web Site)

Contact me for any of the above, suggestions or comments.

Thanks, Your Commander

Bruce Jepson kbjepson@sympatico.ca

Hi, I’d like to introduce myself, I’m Rick Kwasnicki and I am your Squadron Training Officer, having taken over from Rich Miller last May. It has been a steep learning curve for me, as I just joined the CPS in April after I finished my Boating Course. And Rich left some rather large shoes to fill.

Over the last few months we have been enhancing the Maritime Radio course. This year, in addition to the instruction and video we normally use to teach the course, we are adding two new great features. One is a CD that provides you with a VHF/DSC simulator that visualizes how calling works using VHF, and DSC.

For those not familiar with DSC, this is the new Digital Selective Calling component that is now available across most manufacturers and price ranges. It allows you to call other boats directly via a unique number (MMSI, Maritime Mobile Service Identity) that you can obtain for free from Industry Canada (http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf01032e.html). This frees up Channel 16 from the initial call that you normally make. But its real importance is in emergency calls. It will automate the emergency call. All you need to do is to set up your information in the radio (one-time) and then push the red button for 5 secs. Once the button is pushed, you can get on with the other 101 things you need to do in an emergency, and when your message has been received you will get a signal on your radio.

If you do not yet have your DSC endorsement on your Restricted Operator’s Card, then I would encourage you to sign up for the DSC portion of the course. Remember, anyone on board who uses the radio must have a Restricted Operator’s Card.

We are also pleased to announce that, through the generosity of ICOM Canada, we will also be using two fully functional ICOM M502 radios in the course. These VHF/DSC radios will be wired together via 20 metres of coax so that you can practice your radio procedures as you would if you were using radios on a real boat. This will add additional real world experience to the course. We are also thinking of using the radios for the verbal portion of the final exam (VHF).

Another new course we are introducing this spring is the Navigating with GPS Course. This 4 week course will teach you the basics of GPS navigation. To assist us in teaching this course, we will be providing each student with a CD that visually shows you how the GPS works. The course starts this May and we are fortunate to have Morton Biback teaching the first class of the series. Morton is the author of the course and also created the CD with the GPS simulator. If you are even thinking of attending this course, then I would encourage you to pre-register for the May course, as Morton is a wealth of information on this topic.

The Good Ship Kayak

By Alastair Dempster

Originally hunting devices for northern peoples, kayaks have become extremely popular for puddle jumping as well as serious exploration and ocean travel. These seemingly fragile craft score points in fast and dangerous waters that would be game over for a sailboat or motorboat. Many boaters are carrying these versatile craft because they are easy to haul aboard and are great for trips to shore.

The sheer number of different models of kayak you can find at retail store can be overwhelming. If you are primarily interested in paddling relatively calm conditions, sit-on-top kayaks are great. These are one-piece kayaks, where there is no separation of the hull or deck. You literally sit on top of them as the seats and footrests are moulded right into the plastic that the boat is made of. Some are quite specialized - fully decked out as fishing platforms for serious anglers or as diving platforms with space for scuba tanks. Sit-on tops are durable, tolerant of abuse and require little maintenance. They tend to have a broad beam, which provides great initial stability, but take them out in big water and even nausea medication won’t help.

In river and sea kayaks, you sit inside the cockpit of the boat with your legs stretched out under the deck. Traditional river kayaks are typically about 7 to 12 feet in length and have a rockered hull that allows you to carve the tight turns needed to negotiate white water or operate in the narrow confines of a river.

Many river kayaks now have more radical shapes (e.g. bulbous forward of the cockpit and a flat towards the stern) that allow you to perform stunts in chaotic water.

White water paddlers wear their boats like tight jeans with little room for the Dutch oven and bottle of wine.

On large bodies of open water, sea kayaks are preferred. Sea kayaks tend to be long and slender. They are made to track through the water and slice through waves. They will however, with a flick of the hip, perform a most graceful turn around a paddle. Single seaters are typically 14 to 18 feet in length with compartments fore and aft to carry gear. While stuffing dry bags down hatches takes longer than tossing the kitchen sink into a canoe, a sea kayak is fast on the water.

Stability is an issue for most kayakers. A broad beam and flat hull will provide that comfortable primary stability but will lessen the boat’s ability to track in wind. Two seat kayaks are great with children or for fishing because of their wide beam and stability, but the need for harmony in paddling motion with your partner can test even the strongest of personal relationships.

In waves and active water, you will often have the boat is up on its edge. Secondary stability becomes important now. Rather than a flat-bottomed hull, you need a rounded or V shaped hull. Such kayaks also tend to have a narrower beam, typically in the 21 to 23 inch range although there is no magic number as behaviour of a kayak is greatly influenced by the particulars of the hull’s shape. Generally speaking there are tradeoffs in kayak behaviour between tracking and turning, and between stability and responsiveness. Just remember that any boat that claims to have excellent characteristics in everything you could possibly want (e.g. stability, speed, tracking, turning) does not exist. It is marketing hype.

Once you’ve decided on the basic type of the kayak you want, you then need to find a few in that class that fit your body well. It is important to have room to move legs and feet but you must still be able to lock them against the inside of the boat. You also need a comfortable seat with good lumbar support. If the kayak fits like an oversize shoe, you will not be able to push adequately against the boat with your body to control its motion. The larger paddler (e.g. 200 lbs plus) may need to go to a larger boat (e.g. 19 foot) not only for fitting but to get the displacement to support their weight and cargo.

Sea kayaks are made with a variety of materials - plastic, fibreglass, composite material and wood. Plastic kayaks are heavier than fibreglass and can take some muscle to throw on the roof of a car. Mass produced fibreglass boats typically have a foam core and are lighter than plastic boats, a 17 foot boat weighing about 45 – 55 lbs. Wood kayaks are actually fibreglass kayaks with a wood core and weigh about the same. Those of KevlarÔ or carbon fibre construction weigh less than the wood or fibreglass boats but have premium prices. If weight lifting is a bad memory for you, lightweight construction may be less expensive than a discount package with the massage therapist. Skin-on-frame kayaks are the lightest of all. They are made by stretching a nylon skin, over a wooden frame. They are custom made and fitted so you won’t find them in the stores.

There are also folding kayaks. These boats have a rubber and cloth skin that goes over a wood or aluminum frame and are very seaworthy. If storage space is an issue for you or you want to travel by air to far corners of the globe, they may be the answer.

When you have found a boat that fits you and the type of paddling you want to do, it is time to consider price. The nature of the hull material, presence of bulkheads and watertight compartments, as well as quality of the deck fittings, rigging, hatches, finish of the hull and deck (inside and out) and workmanship will be reflected in the price.

What are the essential features you need? Buoyancy is essential if you paddle on open water or far from shore. The boat must have watertight compartments separated from the cockpit by bulkheads or you must install extra flotation bags. A rudder (or skeg) is useful but not essential. The primary control over direction of a kayak is in your paddle strokes and body language. Rudders can be helpful in wind, when you are tired or if you have limitations in upper body strength and range of motion. A sprayskirt is essential to avoid swamping if you travel on open or moving water. Deck rigging is extremely useful for keeping safety gear and frequently used items (like a map and compass) close at hand. Don’t forget a paddle, a Coast Guard approved life jacket, sound signaling device and last but not least a pump or bailer.

Have I missed anything? Oh yes, the famous Eskimo roll? Don’t worry about it. The roll is great to know how to do, but it is more important to get your basic paddling, rescue and navigation skills down pat first. The best way to do that is to take a kayaking class!

CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRONS

YORK WEST DISTRICT

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

To: The Members, York West District

In accordance with Section 11.1.1 of the York West District Regulations, Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of York West District of Canadian Power and Sail Squadron will be held at the Holiday Inn Select, Hwy. 7 & Dixie Rd., Brampton, on Thursday, May 4, 2006, at 1830.

a) receiving and, if thought fit, approving the Reports of Officers and Committees of the District:

b) receiving and, if thought fit, approving the Financial Statements of the District for the twelve month period ending March 31, 2006, and the Report of the District Auditor thereon;

c) electing the Officers referred to in Section 9.1 of the York West District Regulations;

d) appointing the District Auditor;

e) considering such further and other business as may properly come before the Meeting.

The Report of the District Nominating Committee is attached to, and forms part of, this Notice. Under District Regulation 12.1, any further nominations must be made by way of a petition, in writing, signed by not less than five members of this District who shall confirm the consent of their nominee to stand for election. The petition must be filed with the District Secretary not less than two days prior to the date of this Meeting.

Attendance of Members in good standing of Canadian Power and Sail Squadron in general, and of York West District in particular, is requested and encouraged.

DATED this 1st day of March, 2006

D/Lt Stewart Robinson AP

District Secretary

Dress Code: Uniform or Blazer

______________________________________________

CANADIAN POWER AND SAIL SQUADRONS

YORK WEST DISTRICT

To: The Members, York West District.

REPORT OF THE DISTRICT NOMINATING COMMITTEE

March1st, 2006

1. The York West District Nominating Committee nominates the following Members for election as District Officers for 2005/2006

District Commander (D/C) D/Lt/C Pauline Wettlaufer Port Credit Squadron District Executive Officer (D/Lt/C) D/Lt David Agnew Toronto Squadron

District Training Officer (D/Lt/C) D/Lt Scott Gibson Newmarket Squadron

District Administrative Officer (D/Lt/C) D/Lt Stewart Robinson Oakville Squadron

District MAREP Officer (D/Lt) P/R/C John Hinksman Oakville Squadron

District Secretary (D/Lt) D/Lt/C Marilyn Ellison Newmarket Squadron

District Treasurer (D/Lt) Cdr John Ellison Newmarket Squadron

District Membership Officer (D/Lt) D/Lt James Swan Brampton Squadron

District Public Relations Officer (D/Lt) vacant

District Communications Office P/R/C Tony Cook Toronto Squadron

2. The District Nominating Committee advises that, if elected, the Nominee for Commander intends to appoint the following Members as Staff Officers, with the rank of Staff Lieutenant, pursuant to District Regulation 9.3:

Assistant District Training Officer Tanyss Burt Centennial Park Squadron

Assistant District Training Officer Lt Beverley Rezebergs Humber Valley Squadron

Assistant District Training Officer Brad Dempsey Newmarket Squadron

District Environment Officer D/Lt/C Colin Cowley Humber Valley Squadron

District Flag Officer vacant

District Boat Show Chairperson P/D/C Herb Rufft Newmarket Squadron

District Port Captain D/Lt/C Colin Cowley Humber Valley Squadron

3. The District Nominating Committee also nominates the following Member for appointment by the Members as Auditor of the District:

District Auditor P/Cdr Kirk Benson AP Port Credit Squadron

4. The District Nominating Committee also advises that:

a) the following Member will serve on the District Executive Committee and the District Council by virtue of his position as Immediate Past District Commander, and does not require election or appointment:

Immediate Past District Commander D/C Herman Todd Centennial Park Squadron

b) pursuant to District Regulation 9.15.1, the following Members will serve on the District Nominating Committee for the year 2006/2007 by virtue of their position, and do not require election or appointment:

P/D/C Annie Cook (Toronto) D/Lt/C Pauline Wettlaufer (Port Credit)

D/C Herman Todd (Centennial Park), Chairperson

Respectfully submitted,

_________________________ ______________ _______________

P/D/C Annie Cook . Chairperson V/C Richard Bee D/C Herman Todd