Saturday’s Club-wide Open House - - Joan Swain

Compared to what could have been a Keystone Kops reenactment (apologies to all too young to know who they were), Saturday’s Open House was nearly a total success!  While some of the folks who were not able to get on the boats, due to not enough skippers, may not feel that way, of the 28 people who showed up, 13 had great sails.  A couple others may tap the member who referred them for a sail; others may, I say may, have a go at it on some 'Wet and Wild Wednesday'; and a few were OK with no sail experience, just pleased to glimpse all the activity on the sunny, breezy day.

But the smiling faces would not have occurred had it not been for some quick, behind-the-scene maneuvering by Don Sharpe, his two maintenance class students, Bob Moon, JoAnne McClure (who had previously offered up her able instructors if needed), and two L2 sailors on hand for general maintenance.  In addition, I know at least one instructor and one L1 Maintenance Team member who delayed personal commitments to help out. 

Possibly suspecting ahead of time that he may be needed to take charge, Don interrupted his scheduled Maintenance Class to coordinate the Open House with a smile and good cheer.  Meanwhile his 2 soon-to-be-rated students quickly responded when called to action to help as crew; the L2 gals graciously took to skippering for our guests; and while JoAnne was trying to untangle herself from the branches of a too-friendly tree on her return from an early sail to the bridge, thereby regretfully(?) missing all the activity, her 8 instructors played a big roll in saving the day.  Bob Moon?  Well as more people kept showing up, I joined him in the chase boat to corral all the boats back to the J-dock to take out a new batch of folks, so fewer guests were disappointed.  Whew!  Who knew an Open House could be so exciting?

A big THANK YOU to the members already named.   KUDOS also to crew: Paul Szafranski and Stan Urbiel;  L2 gals: Barb Hayes and Claire Zepeda;  and instructors Don Caley, Bob Frank, Yasuo Fujita, Sherri Gregory, Jim Knodel, Chris Lamb, David Pardy and Tom Sand.   Thank you also to David Ei for referring some folks to the Open House, any other members who did, and Craig Smith for his on-going creative, timely posting of what’s happening with ASI on the home page of our website.  If it hadn’t been for member(s) referrals and website postings, there would have been no guests.  Then none of the above members would have the resulting vivid memories of what almost didn’t happen…..except for them.

Interlakes for adoption - - Marilyn Leece

Do you have a favorite Interlake? Looking for a way to get your work hrs. in at your convenience? Would you like to learn more about boat maintenance & make new sailing friends in the process? Please consider "Adopting" one of our Interlakes!  

The boats need TLC throughout the season, and this is an excellent way to help maintain the fleet, and have fun in the process! There are currently 9 Interlakes available for "Adoption" at Kent Lake. Jessica Hogg will manage the program and help to mentor the "Adoptive Skippers".

Please contact Jessica to sign up for your favorite boat!   

Physicists untangle rope's twists  - - more than you need to know about rope!

Twine, string, cord or cable, it all winds up the same way.

Researchers have unraveled the math that keeps ropes from unwinding. The trick lies in the number of times each strand in a rope is twisted, say Jakob Bohr and Kasper Olsen, physicists at the Technical University of Denmark in Lyngby. Their paper was posted online April 6 at www.arXiv.org 

In a traditional rope, each individual strand is twisted as much as possible in one direction. The twisted strands are then wound together in a spiral shape called a helix, which itself rotates in the opposite direction. The interlocking of these twists and countertwists gives the rope strength so that when yanked, it does not unwind.

By plotting a rope's length against the number of times each strand is twisted, Bohr and Olsen discovered that there is a maximum number of twists - resulting in what is called the "zero-twist point" for the overall rope. A good rope - one that won't unravel when pulled or pushed - is always in the zero-twist configuration.

A triple-stranded rope in the zero-twist configuration, Bohr and Olsen found, is 68 percent the length of its untwisted component strands. That figure stays the same no matter what material the rope is made of, says Bohr.

"If you have an old Egyptian rope or one made by modern petrochemical industries, they all look the same," he says. "It is beyond material - it is geometry." 

Physicist Henrik Flyvbjerg, also of the Technical University of Denmark, agrees: The rule of the zero-twist point is universal. "If there is life on other planets in other solar systems, their rope makers must follow the same rules," he says.

The work also explains why rope makers need to feed in the strands at a splayed-out angle, Bohr says; the tensile stress in the rope will automatically adjust the newly added portion to the zero-twist configuration. 

(reprinted from Science News, May 8, 2010, by Alexandra Witze)

Dock Masters Needed - - Anne Ostroth

Attention all rated sailors!   Dock Masters are needed at Kent Lake every Saturday, Sunday and holiday for the entire sailing season.

It’s a great way to get work hours, meet new people, and earn the appreciation of the level one instructors.  There are two shifts per day, AM (9 am -1 pm) and PM (1 pm – 4 pm).  If you would like to sign up for some shifts or have questions email Anne at aostr2@yahoo.com.

ASI in the news

For the past several weeks, an ad hoc ASI PR committee has been calling, suggesting, cajoling, nagging, reminding and otherwise trying to encourage local media to give ASI a little much-needed coverage, in order to fill our spring classes. These sailors are Chris O'Reilly, Abdur Rasheed, Joan Swain, Kathy Chrzanowski, and Don Caley.

Kudos especially to Chris O'Reilly for providing all the pertinent information in his interview by Phil Allmen, Editor of the Milford Times! Way to go Chris! Here's the article, that appeared Thursday May 13:

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20105130357

Abdur was interviewed by the Macomb Daily. Great work, Abdur! Here's the article, that appeared Sunday May 16, and in the Oakland Press, same date:

http://www.macombdaily.com/articles/2010/05/16/online/srv0000008275701.txt

If you were to take……    - -  by Bob Dallos

If you were to take all the boats, bow to stern, and all the sailors, with arms outstretched, reaching fingertip to fingertip, that sailed with us on Wet and Wild Wednesday’s last season, you would have a line that would reach all the way to the moon (or at least a pretty long distance).  Exaggeration, on the contrary, the Wet and Wild Wednesday BUCCANEERS of Kent Lake never tell tall tales of sea. 

What do we do you may ask?  Well, starting on Wednesday June 2nd,  old salts, new students or those in between, should simply show up at the East boat launch at Kent Lake about 18:00 (6pm for the newbie’s), ready for fun, skill sharpening, practice sailing, and of course the chance to meet with other club members that also have a passion for tall tailing err, sailing.  John Johnston and I will be around to help ensure that all sailors old and new are paired up on  boats. We will even help with the launch chores, if you’re nice to us.  Then we all have fun and sail until dusk chases us off the lake.   

For the rated and experienced members of the club, this is not only a great way to meet and welcome new members, but also help them gain confidence in their skills so they too can become rated.  Not only will you have a great time, but you can even get in some of those volunteer hours. And without you, there will be no one to keep the facts the facts.

Looking forward to another great summer of sailing! See you at the dock

John Johnston and Bob Dallos

editor's note: Wednesday's Don't work for you? Try Thundering Thursday's, the next evening. Same agenda!

MANITOU: Desperately seeking a new dinghy! - - Norm Schmidt

Are you one of the many sailors who consider the Level 4 boats and the North Channel experience the jewel of ASI?

Each year Manitou and Voyager III go up Lake Huron and then are time-shared by Level 4 Captains and their ASI member crews in the North Channel. Each boat pulls a dinghy (zodiac) for the safety and daily use by the crew. A replacement dinghy is desperately needed for Manitou. It is aged, and considered unusable.

As part of the budgeting process, ASI has noted that  the current revenue, especially for Level 4, can not support the cost of replacement of a dinghy at this time. The cost of a new or used dinghy is in the range of $1,000-$1600. We are asking for member donations of any amount. Any amount is greatly appreciated!

 If you are one of the 30 Level 4 members, (or hope to be someday) please consider a donation of $50 or $100 for replacement costs. Donations can be made by check or credit card to ASI Sail Secretary. asisailsecretary@aat.net  or (248) 393-2480. Yes, donations are tax deductible!

Thank you,

Norm Schmidt   Level 4 Manager

Ahoy Level 2  Sailors!  (and future Level 2 Sailors) - - Marilyn Leece

After much discussion and poll taking, it was a near-unanimous YES for the installation of a Bimini for Interlude.

Joe Jaeger has submitted a proposal for the framework and fabric, and the total cost should be around $375. Joe has also volunteered to make the framework and Bimini! (Original estimates were approximately $700-800) The Board is committed to a more stream-lined budget for the future of A.S.I.,  and we are asking members to donate whatever amount they are comfortable with, for the cost of the framework and Bimini.

On those hot, summer days - or the cold, wet ones - wouldn't it be nice to have some protection from the elements ?

Any amount by check, or credit card is tax-deductible, and may be sent to Lisa, our sail secretary, at asisailsecretary@att.net . Thank you so much for your support!  And many thanks to Joe!

Flotsam and Jetsam

• Nautical Deli has offered a free drink when you buy a full sandwich or a "soup and sandwich" to ASI members for the 2010 sailing season. It is located at 23839 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI, just north of 9 Mile Road. You must show your ASI membership card.   (thanks, Mary Hein!) 
• At the last board meeting it was unanimously decided  to offer half-day rates, to Level 3 and 4 sailors, for Manitou and Voyager III, in an attempt to maximize boat usage. These new half-day rates will be $45 weekday and $50 weekend. The existing full-day rates remain in effect.
• The entire Race Calendar is posted in the Racing section of the ASI website.
• Wet n' Wild Wednesdays resumes at Kensington on Wednesday June 2nd
• Thundering Thursdays resumes at Kensington on Thursday June 3rd
• New next week! the Stony Creek corner, with sailing news from the other side of town.  

ASI Racing - Notice of Race - - Joe Jaeger

RACE: JAM Race (jib and main) 

WHEN: This Sunday, May 23 at 3:45p 

RACE COMMITTEE: RC TBD (arrive at 3:00p to setup the course) Please come willing to sign-up for RC Duty in following weeks

INSTRUCTION TOPIC: Jib work, main trim, 'sailing by the jib'

COMMENTS: Come out for our first official race of the season and get a jump on your competitors!

Note, all subsequent Racing Notices will be posted weekly in the Burgee.  Furthermore, the entire Race Calendar is posted in the Racing section of the ASI website.

Keelboat Timeshares for 2010 - - Jon Buyle

Open for business! The sailing season is here!  Hurray!  Timeshares are now being accepted for the 2010 season.  Here are a few reminders to make the process work best for all of us: 

1. Please limit your calls to 9AM-9PM, unless it’s an emergency.  Feel free to email me anytime. 
2. Use the ASI website to check on availability of keelboats before calling.  It is updated daily. You can also click on an entry in the calendar to obtain more details, such as the designated captain of a timeshare. That information can be useful for several reasons, such as checking with the previous captain on any problems he experienced with the boat, arranging a transition with the next captain, or notifying the next captain if you are going to be late. 
3. When leaving voicemail requests, please speak slowly and clearly, especially when leaving numbers.  I often have to listen to a message several times to get all the information. 
4. Be sure to notify the Boat Captain and Keelboat Scheduler if a boat needs immediate attention that could affect safety & future timeshares. 
5. Remember that reservations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis and are not held or confirmed for you until secured with a credit card. 
6. Make your reservations as far in advance as you can.  I will do my best to respond to last-minute requests, but cannot guarantee a response in less than 24 hours.  (I have a life too!) 
7. Finally, Do NOT take a boat without clearing it with the Scheduler first, even though a boat appears to be available or your boat becomes disabled. There have been situations where a member who has reserved and paid for a timeshare arrives later and finds the boat gone. It may also be a safety risk for you and your passengers, as the boat may have been taken out of service or have special instructions that the Boat Captain has asked me to convey. 

For the new Level 2 Captains, remember that you cannot reserve a boat until you have passed all requirements, notified Lisa and paid for your upgrade.  Have a great summer and great sailing season!  Hope to see all of you out on the lake.

 Jon Buyle, Keelboat Scheduler  313-881-6393   jmb51@hotmail.com

The ASI Burgee is on an 'every Tuesday' schedule. Get your stuff to me by Sunday for inclusion in the next Tuesday's Burgee. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net