In order to encourage the preservation of fine classic wooden motor yachts, the Board of Directors of the PNW Fleet may from time to time, at Its sole discretion, grant a one-year initial CYA membership to the owner of a vessel that, in the opinion of the Board, faces particularly difficult restoration challenges and who would especially benefit from the support, encouragement, and guidance that membership in CYA could provide.  The Grant comprises the normal CYA initiation fee and one year’s dues, and is paid out of PNW general operating funds. 

Candidates to receive a Membership Grant shall meet the following criteria: 

• Candidate is actively committed to, and involved in, restoring a classic vessel from a noteworthy designer or builder, or one of unusual historic value;
• The expected restoration cost is likely to approach or exceed the market value of the vessel when restored;
• The candidate is not a current CYA member.

Any PNW fleet member may nominate a Grant candidate.  Nominations are to be made in writing to the PNW Board.  Nominations received will be considered and voted upon at the next regular meeting of the PNW Board, or at a later time deemed appropriate by the Board.  It is expected that no more than one Grant will be made in any one PNW fiscal year.

by Todd Powell, PNW Fleet

Insurance! Everyone’s favorite subject, the pinnacle of action and excitement…or maybe not. While insurance is a critical item, most of us spend as little time as possible on the topic.  These past few months, Mike O’Brien (Canadian Fleet), Ted Crosby (USA Fleet), Scott Andrews (NoCal Fleet), Rick Olson (SoCal Fleet) and myself (PNW Fleet) spent some time digging into the status of insurance for our Classics so you would not have to. After some polling of membership as well as talking with folks in the industry, we discovered the following:

Insurance is available. Canada seems to be having the most difficulty with availability overall, with 71%  of respondents reporting that they have had challenges obtaining satisfactory insurance. A few even had their insurance cancelled and had to seek coverage elsewhere. Southern California is at the other end of the spectrum with no one reporting any difficulties at this time. The other fleets all fall in between these two extremes.

However, while insurance may be available, there have also been some changes in requirements and costs that we need to be aware of. What follows is not a comprehensive list but rather, the most repeated items we’ve heard about from our membership and industry sources. And even though your current provider might not be asking you for these items, that may change and it is best to be prepared.

Structural Survey- Most of us are familiar with the initial out of water survey required to bind coverage for a new purchase, but there is an increased frequency of out of water surveys required to maintain coverage. Here in the PNW some members reported a 3-5 year frequency requested by their provider.

Fastener inspection-this now seems to be almost a “must have” for hull insurance. If you’re going for liability only, it does not appear to be as critical. Originally this was more common at point of purchase, but it has now crept into the ongoing requirements.

“Boating Resume”- This applies to folks who are new to boating or are making a significant jump up in size. Basically, the provider wants to know if you can drive the boat. You may need to prove you have experience or agree to take instruction from a licensed captain within a certain time period after purchase. A side note, this is not specific to wooden vessels but to all vessels.

Costs-This one was a bit more erratic. We had member reports ranging from 0%-20% increase in premiums in the past few years. What was more interesting was that two members with the same provider reported very different amounts of increase. This is an area that will require continued observation to try and understand.

Another question is “Who is doing the insuring?” We found that a variety of insurers are covering our boats. Of the 46 fleet members who gave us the name of their insurance company there were 13 different providers given. That being said, the most common insurers of our small data group were Hagerty (10) and Markel (9).

Where do we go from here? Obviously, the insurance industry will continue to change, probably slowly, as time marches on. Our vessels will continue to age and with that may come additional costs and/or requirements as we have seen play out in the last few years. Our recommendation is to develop a relationship with a broker or an agent and to check in with that person at least annually. Find out what their provider(s) are doing or not doing so that you will not be surprised with a “sudden” request. Perhaps at your next haul out, have your fasteners inspected, a letter written by the inspector and toss it in your file ready to be produced if asked.

We are working on getting a list of insurance providers, brokers and agents up on the website for your reference. This will not be a recommendation, just information so that you can see who insures at least some of the members of our club.

And if you haven’t reviewed your insurance coverage in that last decade? You might want to dust it off and give it a quick scan…

The Nov/Dec 2020 issue of Woodenboat has a great article
on Dreamboats, including some great photos by Greg
Gilbert (Winifred), and good shots of Commodore Lander's
Marian II.

WoodenBoat-Dreamboats_2020.pdf

Rick Olson provided a nice spread of photos from the 2020 Change of Watch event in Seattle. They can be viewed HERE.

(Or from the link on the Members Only tab.)

Thanks Rick!

In memory of past Canadian Commodore Robin Hutchinson, Fleet Historian Mike O'Brien has written the following tribute:

We regret to announce the passing of Dr. Robin Hutchinson on January 30, 2019 at the age of 80. Robin was a leader in the treatment of diabetes and kidney transplants, having established the first interprovincial chain matching process which increased the opportunities for matching Canada wide.

Robin was a founding member of the Canadian fleet of the Classic Yacht Association as well as being one of our early Commodores.

Until 2018, Robin and his spouse Pat were the proud owners of the M.V. Sannox, recently re-admitted to the CYA. Sannox had previously been owned by Robin’s father and when he found it for sale, he was delighted to bring it back into the fold.

Robin was a true gentleman, a noted historian and a delightful raconteur.

Our sympathies go out to Pat Hutchinson and to Robin’s son and daughter. He will be truly missed by all members of the Canfleet.

Dear CYA Members,

It is with great sadness that I must announce the passing of former Canadian Commodore and CYA Newsletter editor Dave Sharrock, on Thursday, February 20th.

Past Commodore Michael Topliss told me that "Dave, who lived with his wife Dale on Quadra Island was our newsletter editor for many years.  He created and managed a wonderful publication for the association and was a great task master making sure he had good quality photos, and well edited grammar correct text.  Dave and Dale operate a B&B on Quadra.  Dave’s boat “Spartan III” sank this past January due to bilge pump failure.  Dale feels this in part, broke his heart."

I liaised with Dave over the past few years in his work with the CYA newsletter and I am forever grateful for the time he took in compiling the publication and always making sure it was published on time.

A further tribute will be made in the CYA newsletter.

Regards,
Owen

Owen Bubb
Canadian Fleet Commodore

Remembering Our Friend
Constance M. Munsey

March 14, 1949 – December 13, 2019

Connie Munsey passed away peacefully on Friday December 13, 2019. She was born in Everett, Washington on March 14, 1949 to Elmer and Geraldine Ahola. She was happy to have celebrated her 70th birthday in Hawaii with life-long friends. Connie attended Crofton House School for Girls in Vancouver, Canada where she was trained as a concert pianist. She also attended the University of Washington where she majored in English.

In testament to her personal strength and intellect, she went on to hold many professional positions in which she was the only, or one of few, women holding the same.

Over the years, Connie has been blessed to have many close friends and valued relationships with people who shared her love of classic wood boats, conservative politics, and living life as a laborer in God’s vineyard. She was a cradle Episcopalian and generously gave of both her treasure and talent as a church musician and member of the Altar Guild.

Along with her husband Malcolm, she worked for the Virginia V Foundation on the restoration of the historic wood steamer. Together, they shared their love of the sea and old wood boats by living aboard and cruising northwest waters on their classic yacht M.V. Lawana.

Connie held several elected offices in the Skagit County Republican Party, the 40th District Republicans, and the Citizens’ Alliance for Property Rights (CAPR) organizations. She was a tireless volunteer for numerous local and state political campaigns and managed campaigns for several local candidates.

She dearly enjoyed music, performing arts, entertaining friends, and was a devoted fan of the University of Washington Huskies football.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother Michael, and her husband Malcolm Munsey CPT US Navy. She is survived by her daughter Allison (Kinnon) McDonell and grandchildren Chloe, Parker and William.

Connie will join Malcolm again when her ashes are entombed at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii at Punchbowl. Tuesday – March 10, 2020.

Remembrances can be made to the American Cancer Society in Connie’s name