Volume 53
Number 1
Official publication of District 28, United States Power Squadrons ®
District 28
Lead Line
2016 Calendar
D28
2015 was a mixed year for
D28 and for the United States
Power Squadrons®. As a district we bid farewell to two of
our small squadrons: South
Bay and Lake Mohave. Both
of these squadrons struggled
for many years embracing the
spirit of USPS, but in the end
the realities of today were
just too much.
14—21 February USPS
Annual Meeting—Orlando.
That is the bad news, but the
good news is that these dedicated members were not lost
to D28 but transferred into
ow, two years; our other squadrons enrichyes it has been ing them with their knowltwo years that edge and energy. This has left
the members our district with four healthy
squadrons.
of District 28 have put their
faith in me to be Commander. I am so proud of the way the
Thank you for your faith, con- members of D28 came tofidence and support.
gether in support of the San
21—28 August USPS
National Governing Board
Meeting—Pittsburgh, PA.
Spring 2016 Issue
D28 D/C Report
1
Calendar
1
Guest Speaker D28 Spring
Conference
1
Predicted Log Contest
2
Member Benefits
2
D28 Nominating Committee
Report
3
Spring Conference Call to
Meeting and Hotel Info SAN 4
“Fourteen” Book Recommendation
4
Spring Conference Registration
Form SAN
5
Life Expectancy of the Marine 6
Engine
Change of Watch Photos
7
Spring Conference Special
Guest
8
D28 Newsletters
SailAngle—use it!
8
8
How do you prefer to receive
your Lead Line?
8
In Memory—Bob Newsom
9
Lead Line Editor & Publisher
D/1 Lt Jill Powell, AP
Phone: 760-438-9616
Cell: 760-716-1675
E-mail: [email protected]
BALBOA
D/C Kenneth W. Smith, AP
D/28—USPS
and
Tomorrow
W
If elected in March, Jan
Follestad will take the reigns
as Commander. He brings with
him years of business and
cruising experience and the
sage wisdom from being a
D/25 D/C. His outside our
district perspective will be
invaluable. Please give him the
support and encouragement
you have shown me.
PHOENIX
Diego Governing Board
Meeting. Members from all 6
squadrons participated, volunteering even more of their
precious time to make our
tiny district look much bigger
than it is. I have not yet heard
a negative word about the
Governing Board—thank you
to everyone who helped.
Continued on P. 2
SAN DIEGO
21—28 February USPS
Western Caribbean Cruise
Holland America Line
11—12 March D28 Spring
Conference— Hosted by San
Diego Sail & Power Squadron.
18 March Leadership Development LD102—Tacoma, WA.
30 September—01 October
D28 Fall Conference—Hosted
by Balboa Sail & Power
“SAN SALVADOR”
Historically Accurate
Replica Flagship of
Explorer
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo
COME!
D28 Spring Conference in San
Diego, CA. See Page 4
Guest Speaker:
Dr. Mark Montijo
Vice President Maritime Museum
SAN LUIS REY
Lead Line
SPRI NG 2016
Volume 53
District Commander’s Report contd. from P. 1
USPS
There are a lot of changes coming to USPS
over the next several years.
In February, a new Chief Commander will
be elected, Loui Ojeda,
probably the most energetic chief our organization has ever known.
He recognizes that our
shrinking membership
numbers and financial
realities mean that things must change.
Under his watch I can assure you that
many things will be changing within USPS.
The reality is that we can no longer operate the same old way. There will be
changes in the way committees are organized and run, changes in travel reimbursements and changes in the way
national meetings are held and financed.
There are even discussions about radically
changing the way districts are organized
and the way squadrons communicate
with National officers. Many of these
changes will not be popular with a group I
call the “status-quo-ests” but they are
inevitable!
Technology—Today
and Tomorrow
For the past 2 years I have stressed the
absolute necessity that everyone from
squadrons to districts to national evolve
and adopt necessary modern technologies. Failure to do so will relegate everything we have done as an organization
to a footnote in boating history. At each
one of the squadron Change of Watch
Ceremonies I have conducted this year, I
spoke of this need. I stated that today our
web home page is our face. Tomorrow it
will be Facebook and how frequently our
members Twitter about squadron happenings. Imagine Snapchat threads at
BALBOA
PHOENIX
Page 2
Number 1
cruises and events. Information that
must be consumed NOW because if not,
it will be gone forever. Again, imagine
how this will draw others to pay attention to what is happening now, not
learn about it days or weeks from now.
This is the instantaneous, now, world of
today!
I spoke about how adopting these technologies will be frightening to many.
They frighten me too! But so did the
first day of middle school as I was forced
to confront new teachers and students
in a new building. So did the first day in
my first job! Yet, in each case, along
with the fright, was a feeling of adventure and opportunity. The adventure of
experiencing new places and challenges.
The opportunity to learn from others
and the opportunity to contribute to the
learning of others.
All of US in USPS must acknowledge
these fears and apprehensions and
embrace the wondrous opportunities
and adventures that await us in this new
technology driven world.
We must embrace the new and honor
the old. We must allow our younger
members to lead us; and yes, be patient
when they become impatient with us.
Doing this will make our squadrons and
all of the United States power Squadrons® better, stronger, and something
all boaters want to be a part of.
It has been an honor to serve as Commander of District 28 these past two
years. I see hope and optimism, and
have total confidence in the officers you
will elect.
D/C Kenneth E. Smith, AP
Predicted Log Contest
This year the winner of the SDSPS trophy
for best performance in a squadron
sponsored Predicted Log contest went
to David Wiemer, SN from Coronado
Yacht Club.
SAN DIEGO
For those who don’t know, the Predicted Log contest is a Navigation &
Piloting skill event.
A course is set up for the contest
covering 12+ miles in or around the
harbor. The contestants must calculate a predicted time between each
mark on the course down to the
second. During the contest observers record the actual times and assure that the rules are observed.
Then the predicted times are compared to the actual times and an
error is calculated. The contestant
with the lowest percentage error is
the winner.
Members of the SDSPS who participated include Mike Fountain, David Wiemer and Magnus Karlsson.
Many of the observers are experienced boaters from the Power
Squadron and have been trained by
P/D/C Bill Bridge, SN.
Member Benefits
The USPS has been improving its
member benefits program by establishing benefits from various
firms. You can find a complete list
of them on USPS website. I recently
used my benefit card from Office
Depot to print 200+ pages of
letters. The normal price for this
printing was over $70. Using my
USPS benefit, the cost to me was
less than $25.
Investigate the USPS member benefit program and see what it can do
for you and your squadron. There
are many marine related businesses, insurance companies, even drug
stores and other retailers.
Both submitted by P/D/C Richard Cross, JN
Also see the Spring 2015 issue of the
LeadLine featuring this subject.
…………………………...
SAN LUIS REY
Lead Line
SPRI NG 2016
Volume 53
Number 1
Page 3
D28 Nominating Committee Report 2016-2017
PER SECTION 2.9.1 OF THE BYLAWS OF DISTRICT 28 THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE SETS
OUT BELOW ITS NOMINEES FOR THE 2016-2017 WATCH YEAR:
Bridge:
Commander
Jan Follestad, SN
San Luis Rey
District Executive Officer
Shawn Goit, AP
San Luis Rey
District Education Officer
Adriaan Veldhuisen, SN
San Luis Rey
District Administrative Officer
Position Open
District Secretary
Bill Johnson, SN
Phoenix
District Treasurer
Jackie Wanta, S
Phoenix
Rules Committee:
Financial Review Committee:
1 Year Term Frank Fitzgerald, AP
Phoenix
2 year Term
Bill Bridge, SN
2 Year Term Adriaan Veldhuisen, SN
San Luis Rey
3 year Term
Position Open
San Diego
3 Year Term Position Open
Nominating Committee:
1 Year Term
J. Brockway Clark, SN
San Diego
1 Year Term
Connie Johnson, SN
Phoenix
2 Year Term
Suzy Cooper, AP
San Luis Rey
2 Year Term
Position Open
Balboa
3 Year Term
Position Open
San Diego
3 year Term
Position Open
Phoenix
Open positions will be filled from the floor at the Conference.
Respectfully submitted Nominating Committee:
P/D/C Connie Johnson, SN
P/D/C J. Brockway Clark, SN
Lt/C Suzy Cooper, AP
Effective January 21, 2016
BALBOA
PHOENIX
SAN DIEGO
SAN LUIS REY
Lead Line
SPRI NG 2016
Volume 53
D28 Bridge 2015/6
Bridge:
Commander
Executive Officer
Education Officer
Administrative Officer
Secretary
Treasurer
D/C
Kenneth Smith, AP
D/Lt/C Vacant
D/Lt /C Ronald Werner, SN
D/Lt/C Shawn Goit, SN
Stf/C Bill Johnson, SN
D/Lt/C Jackie Wanta, S
Number 1
Page 4
2 01 6 Dis tric t 2 8 Fal l Counc il / Confe re nce
Ca l l to Me e ti ng
To the: District 28 Bridge Officers
Past District Commanders
General Committees
Planning Committees
Squadron Commanders, Bridges and Delegates
All Other Interested Members and Parties
By order of the District Commander, notice is hereby given that the D/28
Spring Council & Conference will be held at the following time and place:
Date:
Time:
Friday & Saturday 11—12 March, 2016
Friday 1800 Friday Hospitality
Saturday 0800 Winter Council Meeting
0900 Spring Conference
1900 Saturday Conference Dinner
Place:
Holiday Inn Bayside, (Group “PWR”), 4875 North Harbor Drive,
San Diego, CA. 92106. T: (619) 224-3621 (800) 662-8899
Purpose:
To carry on the business of District 28, USPS;
To establish committees and make appointments thereto;
To fill any vacancy in any elective office;
To conduct Elections of 2016—2017 Officers of the District
To make and approve interim changes in the 2016 -17 Budget;
To consider resolutions and recommendations from the
Squadrons and refer them to the Conference for
action or to committee for further study;
To conduct all other business of the District which may properly come before the Council or Conference.
Uniform: Friday—Hospitality: USPS or Squadron Polo Shirts
Saturday—Meetings: Uniform G— (short sleeve shirt, black
pant/skirt), USPS or Squadron Polo Shirts acceptable;
Saturday Night: Class A with Bow Tie or Suit—Formal/Semi
Formal attire.
Submitted by Stf/C William “Bill” Johnson, SN
Secretary—District 28
A MUST READ — GRIPPING! You can’t put it down!
“Obsessed with sailing, SLRSPS’s Leslie Nack’s larger-than-life Norwegian father has a dream to move from their 63 acre
rustic ranch in No. California to buy a sailboat, live aboard and show his three daughters the world.
Although it takes years, on 5 February 1975 he sets his sights on French Polynesia. But when they begin their journey, Leslie,
who has just turned fourteen, faces a disturbing reality: her father, who has crossed boundaries in the past, is not to be trusted
Leslie Nack, P
… and she’s trapped with him on a 45-foot sailboat.
Intense and inspiring, Fourteen is a coming-of-age adventure story about a girl who—with the help of the ocean, which alternately serves as her
solace and her savior—comes into her own power and finds the strength to fight back against abuse.”
Quote by: She Writes Press—Publisher.
Available on Amazon and at book stores everywhere—2016.
BALBOA
PHOENIX
SAN DIEGO
SAN LUIS REY
UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS®
Sail and Power Boating
“Come for the Boating Education … Stay for the Friends” SM
USPS® DISTRICT 28 SPRING CONFERENCE 2016
REGISTRATION FORM
March 11-13, 2016
Event Location: Holiday Inn – Bayside
4875 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA. 92106
Member Name: _________________________________________________ SQD: ________
Rank: __________ Grade: _______
Member Name: _________________________________________________ SQD: ________
Rank: ___________ Grade: ______
Spouse/Guest: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
E-Mail: _____________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________
State ___________
Zip Code ______________________
Cell Phone/Telephone _______________________________
DATE
FRIDAY MARCH 11
ACTIVITY
SATURDAY MARCH 12
Saturday Spouse/Guest Event 0930 - 1400
Tour of the USS Midway. Lunch on own at the Fantail on the Midway
Number
@
Friday Night Social 1800 – 2000
Brockway & Barbara Clark’s House
3110 Browning Street, San Diego, CA. 92106
No Host Cocktails 1800 - 1900
$5 each
$
$15 each
$
$0
Dinner 1900 – 2100
Indicate Entrée choice below:
Combination Tri Tip and Salmon ____________
Vegetarian
____________
DONATIONS
Please reserve “donation tickets” in advance, as follows (circle choice):
1 @ $1 7 @ $5
15 @ $10 35 @ $20
$45 each
$
$
Are you staying at the Holiday Inn Bayside? Yes or No (Circle one)
Parking is $5.00 per night
Please make checks payable to: SDSPS and mail with completed registration form to:
P/C Robert Hubbard, 12525 Utopia Way, San Diego, CA. 92128
PHOENIX
SAN DIEGO
$
# Tickets:
TOTAL PAYABLE
(Check)
BALBOA
Total
SAN LUIS REY
$
Lead Line
SPRI NG 2016
Volume 53
Life Expectancy of the
Marine Engine
Submitted by Nigel Woolf, AP
Number 1
Page 6
Two of the most important rules of thumb for engine compartment blowers on gasoline engines are that they should always
be set to exhaust, not to blow air in, and they should be run for a
minimum of 5 minutes before starting the engine.
Two indicators that can alert you to potential trouble are the
color of exhaust smoke and changes in the appearance of
your oil when you check it.
Exhaust gases from marine engines should be clear. Any
color of smoke can warn you of potential trouble.

Black smoke is the result of engine overload, a restricted
air supply, or a malfunctioning fuel injector in the case of a
diesel engine. Improperly burned particles of excess fuel
are blown out the exhaust.

The typical gasoline marine engine will run fine for the first 1,000 hours. It
is at this juncture that the engine starts to exhibit small problems. If these
small problems aren't addressed, they can turn into major problems which
may make the last 500 hours of life difficult to reach.
Blue smoke is formed by combustion of the engine's own
lubricating oil. This can be the result of worn piston rings,
valve guides, or oil seals. The oil can come from an overfilled air filter in the case of a diesel engine or excess oil in
the crankcase.

White smoke indicates either water vapor from dirty fuel, a
water leak into the cylinder or atomized, but completely
unburned, fuel. Air in the fuel can also cause white smoke.
Interestingly, an automobile engine may run almost twice as long (3,000
hours) as your marine gasoline engine. The reason is that marine engines
normally work harder and under worse conditions than automobile engines.
You can not check the level and condition of your oil in your
engine too often.
The average marine gasoline engine runs for 1,500 hours before needing a
major overhaul. The average marine diesel engine will run for more than
three times that long and log an average 5,000 hours under the same conditions. The number of hours that a marine engine runs is very dependent
on the amount and quality of maintenance over the years.
A well-maintained gasoline engine run under the best conditions may well
run for more than the 1,500 hours without major overhaul. However, many
that operate under the most atrocious conditions of salt air, damp bilges,
intermittent operation and pure neglect will certainly die early.
Diesel engines are built to finer tolerances than are gasoline engines. They
will accept much more abuse and often deliver, if well maintained, 8,000
hours of hard work before needing a major overhaul. Theoretically, a wellmaintained diesel may last the life of your boat. Since the average recreational boater logs only about 200 hours per year, the 8,000 hour diesel
would last 40 years.
Although diesels can add considerable cost to a boat, they should be
seriously considered because of their durability, economy of operation and
safety concerns. Diesel fuel has a much higher flash point than gasoline
and does not present the same threat of explosion that gasoline fumes
carry.
Engines like to run long and steady. The shorter the running time between
stops, and the longer the idle time between runs, the fewer the hours they
will deliver before needing major repairs.
The adverse conditions under which marine engines operate have a great
deal to do with their longevity. What they really need is rarely what they
get. Naval architects recommend that engine compartments should be
supplied with lots of dry, cool (50°F), clean air. The very minimum fresh air
vent area (in square inches) for natural ventilation without blowers is found
by dividing engine horsepower by 3.3.
BALBOA
PHOENIX
You should check it at least once a day and preferably before
every start. It is also a good idea to wipe the dip stick clean with
your bare fingers and feel the consistency of the oil. Use the
paper towel to wipe your fingers. You should rub the oil on the
stick lightly between your thumb and index finger and feel for any
foreign particles which could indicate contamination or metal
parts failures.
Weekend boaters checking the oil before starting should be suspicious of oil levels that are too high or too low.

Too high a level might be a clue that water has found its
way into the oil sump. You could crack the cylinder head,
break a piston, or both, just by turning the engine over. The
oil with water in it will also look "milky."

Too low a level could indicate an oil leak that could lead to
engine seizure. Look in the bilge to see if there is any oil
residue. Many marine engines sit very low in the bilge and
water is consistently in contact with the oil pan. Over the
years this can corrode and cause pinhole leaks in the pan.
Whenever there is a large deviation from normal, take that as an
urgent warning. Start looking for more clues or seek the advice
of an expert.
………………….
SAN DIEGO
SAN LUIS REY
Lead Line
SPRI NG 2016
Volume 53
Number 1
Page 7
2016—2017 Change of Watch
San Luis Rey Sail & Power Squadron Bridge: Shawn Goit, Suzy Cooper, Jennifer Alcantara, Bob Miller, Chris Peavey, Dan Rancourt,
Adriaan Veldhuisen, David Nack, Jan Follestad, R.D. Walker, Van Diehl and Cida Diehl.
Balboa Sail &
Power
Squadron
Commander
Eric Gritzmacher
takes the oath
from
D/C Kenneth
Smith
San Luis Rey
Sail & Power
Squadron
Commander David
Nack is all smiles as
he is bid adieu by
District 28
Commander
Kenneth Smith
D28 Commander Ken Smith greets the San Diego Sail & Power Squadron 2016
Bridge: Carole Hallock, Marco Carvalho, Paula Vance, Robert Gibbs, Katie Law,
Catherina Isaaksen, Debra Tucker, and Betty McGovern
Ken Smith bids adieu and welcomes
back San Diego Sail & Power
Squadron Commander
Carole Hallock for her 2nd term
Come for the Boating Education… Stay for the Friends℠
BALBOA
PHOENIX
SAN DIEGO
SAN LUIS REY
Lead Line
SPRI NG 2016
Volume 53
The Immediate Past
Chief Commander,
Robert Baldridge of
Baton Rouge, LA will
be our Special Guest
at the Spring Conference.
Robert joined the Baton Rouge Squadron in 1976 as a college sophomore so
his father would let him take the boat
out by himself.
His first job was on the squadron phone
committee. He went on to serve on the
Executive Committee, Seamanship
Instructor, Chairman of Local Boards,
Administrative Officer, Executive
Officer, and Squadron Commander. He
continues to serve as Newsletter Editor,
Instructor Development Chairman,
Operations Training Chairman, and
Membership Chairman. In District 15,
he has served as Computer Systems
Committee Chairman, Rules Committee
Chairman, Nominating Committee
Chairman, Administrative Officer,
Executive Officer, and Commander.
His first national job was as a member
of the national Computer Systems
Committee in the mid 80’s. He went
on to chair that committee and serve
on the Marketing and Planning Committees. He was an aide to Chief Commanders Gordon, Kennedy, and Jensen
and has served as the Assistant National Secretary, Secretary, Administrative
Officer, National Executive Officer, and
now as P/C/C Commander. He is a Life
member with 31 Merit Marks. Married
in 1983, Robert and Nancy Baldridge
have two boys, Taylor and Noah.
The entire family enjoys boating aboard
their SeaRay, MUCH ADO, mostly in the
rivers and lakes of Louisiana and along
the Gulf Coast. Commander Baldridge’s
two sons, Taylor and Noah, joined the
Baton Rouge Squadron hoping their
father would let them take the boat out
by themselves.
BALBOA
PHOENIX
Number 1
Page 8
District 28 Website:
www.usps.org/D28
SQUADRON NEWSLETTERS
Balboa Sail & Power
Squadron
“Trident”
Lake Mohave Sail & Power
Squadron
“No Wake Zone”
Phoenix Sail & Power
Squadron
“Bos’n’s Pipe”
San Diego Sail & Power
Squadron
“The Ship’s Mail”
San Luis Rey Sail & Power
Squadron
“The Mariner’s Needle”
SMILE
PLEASE!
Photos in this issue courtesy of
Lt/C Jennifer Alcantara, P/C Allan
Bombard, Lt/C Dave Stancil and
D/1 Lt Jill Powell, AP
SAN DIEGO
San Diego Sail & Power Squadron along with
San Luis Rey Sail & Power Squadron plus
guests enjoy a Halloween weekend raft-up
aboard Allan Bombard and Paula Vance’s
Moondance.
Connie and Bill
Johnson discuss
winning opportunities at the
D28 Fall
Conference
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Click on More Features on top right
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Now, no excuses.
All the tutorials are there!
SAN LUIS REY
Lead Line
SPRI NG 2016
Volume 53
How do you prefer to receive
your Lead Line?
Number 1
Page 9
IN MEMORIAM
P/D/C ROBERT N. NEWSOM, P
The USPS District 28 bi-annual newsletter, the Lead
Line is distributed via email. It is also available all
year on www.sailangle.com by going to the File
Cabinet and looking for the heading “Lead Line”.
There are 2 issues per year—Spring and Fall.
Perhaps there are members who would rather
receive the publication via hard copy.
If you prefer to receive the Lead Line half-yearly by
US Postal Service in booklet format, please contact
the Editor/Publisher:
Signature___________________________________
Print your name _____________________________
Mailing Address: _____________________________
Monday 07 September, 2015
Bob joined USPS in 1977 and earned 30 Merit
Marks. He joined Helix Power Squadron, now
disbanded, 38 years ago where he ultimately rose
to the rank of their Squadron Commander. He
then joined San Luis Rey, was active at the
District level, and rose to the rank of District
Commander in 1993.
__________________________________________
Squadron: __________________________________
Please mail or email this notice to:
D/1 Lt Jill Powell, AP
Editor/Publisher Lead Line USPS
6554 Via Barona
Carlsbad, CA. 92009-4516
Bob celebrated his 61st wedding anniversary in
June last year and cruised from Vancouver to
Anchorage in August.
So here’s to Bob Newsom:
“May the road rise up to meet you and, until we
meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His
hand.”
Email: [email protected]
Bob is survived by his wife Mary Lou, daughter
Lynn, son Tom, and 4 grandchildren. Mary Lou
has requested to stay in touch with the squadron
and receives The Mariner’s Needle monthly by
U.S. postage.
Thank you!
BALBOA
PHOENIX
SAN DIEGO
SAN LUIS REY
BALBOA
PHOENIX
SAN DIEGO
SAN LUIS REY
Geography
Come for the Boating Education… Stay for the Friends℠
www.usps.org/lc/d28
Primary Business Address for Newsletter:
6554 Via Barona
Carlsbad, CA. 92009-4516
USPS Lead Line/D28