No one ever said that EVERYTHING in the PC
world of George Kettenburg Jr. made perfect sense! George did
what he wanted, when he wanted and how he wanted. Many of the
past and present PC skippers have been A BIT perculiar and many have done wonderful things. The following
are bites of information that might demonstrate this reasoning and behavior.......
April 15, 2006
In the late 50's Wally Springstead took on
a partner to help with the cost of maintaining his boat and to count
on as good crew. Several months went bye while Wally and crew continued
to hone their skills and win races, but Wally's level of dedication
and focus to win was not matched by his partner. One day while out
on the course and beating to windward, his partner commented "Well...it's
noon. I'll get out our sandwiches!". Wally, at the helm, did
not take is eyes off the race, but his mind was made up immediately..
They won the race, but upon arriving back at the dock, Wally made
an offer that could not be refused and minutes later, was the sole
owner of # 14, La Cucaracha!
January 18, 2006
Did you know that the Trepte family played an
important part in completion of the Fiesta
Island Youth Aquatic Center? This lovely site is available
to youth groups on an "Advanced Scheduling" basis. Many
young people visiting the site will experience tent camping, cook
outs and wonderful outdoor activities, for the first time. Along
with other events, skilled on-site conselors are present to teach
rowing, paddling and sailing with assorted small boats. As a measure
of thanks to Gene Trepte, a great photo of PC #26 hangs on the
wall in the center.
January
17, 2006
The Kettenburg history records tell us that PC's 13, 15 and 17 were built up in Newport by Southcoast Boatworks. Written articles from the time explain that a major difference in these boats was that the rudder post continued up THROUGH the deck, where the tiller was then fixed. PC fleeet member Vance Gustafson (#9) tells me that he owned #13 in 1949 and she did NOT have the longer rudder post, but it stopped short just under the deck as we commonly see. So...what do we believe, the history records or an owners knowledge?? Perhaps she was modified???
January
8, 2006
As a young man, sailing #10 WINDY, accomplished
sailor Doug Giddings decided that he could leave his spinnaker
folded, but wrapped lightly in rolls of toilet paper. He reasoned
that the paper would be light enough to break apart when the 'chute
was raised. All went well at the first windward mark and, in fact,
everything went off just as he had planned. Unfortunately, as
the 'chute opened, all the tissue went flying back on the boat
behind WINDY. The skipper of that vessel
filed a protest and the Protest Committee found Skipper Giddings
GUILTY!!! Of what you ask??? Well......of "Unsportsmanlike
Behavior", of course!!!!
January
7, 2006
PC #6 was NEVER built. Why, you ask? Seems like
well known (and accomplished San Diego Sailor) Bob Mann was next
in line to have a boat built for him after #5 was completed. When
he ordered his boat and GK Jr. told him his boat would be #6,
I am told his comment was "NO WAY!! My lucky number is #7.
I want 7!!" George, being a friend and wanting to sell a
boat, answered, "Ok Bob, yours is #7!". Thus the number
6 was skipped over and no one ever thought to change the hull
numbering sequence after 7 was completed!!
January
3, 2006
PC #2 was ordered (as were hulls 3 and 4) and commissioned for Joe Jessop,
but the Springstead brothers wanted a boat NOW and had the money
to pay for it! George Jr. and the Kettenburg crew built PC number
2 and called it 5 because the Springsteads were next in line, and as she was truly the 5th boat ordered. . Joe
received his boat, which was listed as hull #2, when she was completed
at a later date, but #5 was really the 2nd boat built!l
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