Despite the rains that kept some away, the 2008 BOC Labor Day Race, Feast and Music Festival was a howling success. Good friends, great food, fabulous music... it doesn't get any better than this. See Video:

Rumor has it, there is also a hightlights video of the Music Festival floating around somewhere but what happens at night at the BOCFWHQ stays at the BOCFWHQ soooo... it's not posted on the website.

Big thanks go out to everyone who turned out for the event and a very special thank you to Katie, James, Alma, Peggy, Kathleen, Ed, Carol and the lovely Ms. Charlotte for providing the evening's entertainment.

Next event scheduled is the October costume something or other. Check the message board for word from Charlotte, the activities committee, for the date and details.

BOC Floating Headquarters After Year One

We had an enjoyable memorial day weekend race and pot-luck barbecue last month and are all looking forward to the annual Independence Day weekend event on Saturday, July 5, 2008.

We have 26 paid family memberships for the BOC so far this year and expect that there may be a few more as the season progresses.

In recapping some of the work and improvements that have been done on the headquarters this year and some of the work still in progress, we'd like to acknowledge the volunteers who have so generously donated their time, skills and sweat to make visits to the HQ so enjoyable for all.

Completed Improvements

Interior work, amenities, art, lighting, new stereo sound system, cleaning and cooking supplies: Almost everyone has contributed in this area... special thanks for major contributions above and beyond the call go out to Paul, Kathleen, Dusty, Mary and Greg.

Exterior work, painting, bilge repairs, anchoring/mooring system, solar panel charging systems, rear porch awning, front porch table and chairs, diesel generator removal and sale, new BBQ grill purchase and installation, hard dinghy (lifeboat) purchase, on-shore BOC Bay and Blue Frog Beach signage:

Major volunteers in this area were... Tom, Chuck, Stephey, Greg, Dale, Paul, Kathy, Ed, Carol, Charlotte, Dusty, Cochitiman and Steve with many others in supporting roles.

Ongoing Improvements

The upper deck shade structure and awning is being designed and built by Greg with many materials provided by Ed. Greg hopes to have the phase one design of this completed and installed before July 4th.

A new rear boarding ladder extension for swimmers is being designed and fabricated by Robert. He plans to have this built and installed fairly soon (mid-summer).

New golf cart batteries to store the electricity generated by our new solar charger will soon be installed and connected by the BOC Super-Electrician, Steve... probably by July 4th. He's also installing a charging regulator and an 800 watt AC inverter that should handle small to medium 115 volt AC loads and appliances.

Tom is planning to reposition the HQ a bit further south in BOC Bay to get it away from the tangled weed growth (Spinach Patch) that gets thick in the late summer in the NE end of the bay. He hopes to have this completed by July 4th also.

If you haven't been able to participate in any of the sweat equity projects this year, don't fret... your dues money has also been a tremendous help in making all of these improvements possible.

Muchismas gracias to all the volunteers and members for their time, efforts and dues that are making the BOCFWHQ a comfortable and safe mini-marina and an invitingly friendly place to visit and hang out on the water.

We're also happy to report that after one full year on the water, there has not been a single instance of theft or vandalism reported on the floating headquarters and accidents have been limited to minor band-aid variety scrapes and bruises normally expected with recreational boating activities. It was a very good year.

Lotta gnooze to report. We'll try to make it as brief as possible without leaving out any of the important details...

Saturday, May 24th:

Prez Ed and the web dude made a morning BOC Bay patrol in Second Wind to pick up all three mooring buoy floats and a stray white fender from shore. Evidently they had broken loose from harsh treatment by spring winds and storms. They also rescued Mr. and Mrs. Pink Flamingo from Blue Frog Beach for some medical treatment from the BOC vet. They survived some minor surgery and are now safely housed in the stern hold until the runoff season is behind us (Juneteenth?). Mr. Blue Frog was strapped to the Blue Frog Beach sign in a simulated drowning experiment to keep him from escaping if the water does rise (and also to see if he will decide to talk about the circumstances of the molestation of the male pink flamingo - he had to have seen it - he was only three feet away).

Two big white ducks with very long lips were spotted in the middle of the lake Saturday morning.

Big White Ducks with Long Lips

Saturday weather and sailing was beautiful with light winds increasing to around 14 knots around 1 pm then dropping off slowly to about 5 knots by 7 pm. Several BOC members brought family and guests. Evening meals were done on an individual basis with members sharing the BOCWHQ grills and galley facilities throughout the late afternoon and early evening.

"Blue Frog Too" takes on "The Badger" in the 2008 Cinco de Mayo race at Cochiti Lake.