the maintenance marathon/sailhouse cleanup a huge success! - - Marilyn Leece

Lists were compiled, supplies on hand, donuts were ready and the 2010 Maintenance Marathon was underway! Approximately 30 members braved the heat, and worked all day repairing, installing, climbing the mast, scrubbing the cabin, cleaning and organizing  the sail house, organizing the dock boxes, and then enjoyed a hearty lunch at the gazebo with friends, and great conversation.

We would like to thank the Boat Captains, Assistants, Sail House Crew, and the MANY dedicated members that worked so hard in the heat to help maintain our Level 2 boats, and  to clean AND organize the Sail House.   Special thanks to :Gary Hintz and Jack Townsend! 

Interlude was out of service due to a failure in the exhaust system, and Gary fabricated the part needed on Saturday: within hours! Upon Gary's return, Jack worked diligently all afternoon in the lazerette, with help from the Interlude crew to install the new part. By 18:00, Interlude was back in service for Sunday's timeshare! 

Many thanks to thirty members of a great crew!

Marilyn Leece and Jessica Hogg, Level 2 Managers

Would you loan me your boat?                      Maintenance Millie

If you knew I would not treat your boat as my own, would you loan it to me?   I only want it for a couple hours and I'm not going to steal it.  Oh, I may cause some nicks and dents, but sailing is not without risk to the boat, you know.  If you hear some banging and clanging as I'm rigging and derigging, do not be alarmed.  And I may not secure it snug it its slip, but what harm is that?

I haven't heard your answer....may I borrow your boat?

MM's eyes and ears have had more input than she knew was out there these past 2 weeks.   Reports abound as to docking mishaps, rudder scratches on the transom, wear and tear on the finish, gouges where MM didn't even know such could occur. 

I think there must be a dockbox hacker gaining access to our boats at Kensington.  Since we own those boats collectively, and certainly care for them accordingly, that's the only plausible explanation.....or so MM hopes.

So hackers beware!  There's a whole bunch of us looking out for you, because we care for our boats.

Which sail do you lower first? - - Richard Jagers

After returning to the dock, bow into the wind, tied to the dock, which sail do you lower first? Main sheet or Jib? 

If you found yourself confused, it might be because ASI uses a different order than taught in the book. (Start Sailing Right, 1997, pg. 32)

ASI isn't the only source that uses this order. While talking to several experienced sailors, they too commented that they use the same order as ASI. Several of these experts sail much larger boats then the Interlakes.

So here is the answer for ASI: first down is the jib, then the mainsail. The mainsail is the first to go up but comes down last. Sort of like the main engine.  Get it running first before you start on the auxiliary engine (jib), turn off the auxiliary before turning off the main.

Here are the reasons why the main comes down last: the boom protects it from damage due to luffing. Unlike the jib which flies all over the place, often rubbing against the dock. Ouch! the main keeps the boat into the wind at the dock by shifting with the wind. Be certain that the mainsail line isn't tied or cleated when at the dock, or else you will sail the boat right into the dock.

Drop the jib first as soon as the boat is tied off, then the main. Gather the jib into a bundle, and put the lines on it to keep it from blowing all over, and keep it from getting damaged by the dock.

Most sails are made out of polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron) which is a form of plastic. Ever take a clear plastic bag and rub it on concrete? Well, you get the same effect when you rub sails on concrete, metal, or other abrasive materials. This causes micro abrasions, scratches and holes that weaken and damage the fiber. So be kind to the sails, and avoid contact with any abrasive surface.

Capsize and docking workshops  update - - JoAnne McClure

The Capsize workshop on July 24 has been cancelled (the August 21 workshop is still on), but the Docking Workshop on July 24 is still on!

Don't miss this opportunity to practice docking with an instructor (especially if you missed part of your class due to weather). We will be starting off with MOB drills before approaching the dock, so if you need that help also, it will be available. Don't miss out on this opportunity! July 24 (Saturday), 9 AM to lunch (or later if the demand is there) at Kent Lake East Boat Launch.

Questions? Contact JoAnne McClure 248 345 2403 or je-mcclure@earthlink.,net.

ASI Racing - Notice of Race - - Casilda De Benito

RACE:  Team Race

WHEN: Sunday, July 25 at 3:45pm

WHERE: Kent Lake

Race Committee (RC) TBD - arrives at 3:15 p.m.

INSTRUCTION TOPIC: Team work in a crew

Sangria party date change - - Loren McFadden

You are cordially invited to a “Home Made Sangria” party in celebration of the Level 3-4 transfer trip 2010. 

What’s the occasion? Avast me hearties!  A group of  ASI Sea Dogs are returning from a cruise of the “North Channel”. They will be heavily laden with tall tales and rich pictures of their adventure.  What better excuse for throwing a party?! 

Where?              N   42’25.813, W  83’40.157

For you Landlubbers the address is:

63345 W. 8 mile road                                                                      

South Lyon, MI 48178              

When? Some time in September, yet to be announced. We had planned this for July, but too many sailors were... sailing!  Watch this space for the September date. 

What to bring? A dish to pass and a bottle of red wine  (The wine is for the Sangria so it doesn’t need to be the good stuff) and lots of sailing pictures and stories. What say you!  A cat on board!? There is a cat that insists on living here. Arrrg!  If you have allergies to a cat please take any precautions necessary to enjoy the party. 

Join us in the second annual celebration for the 2010 ASI students earning their “Level 4”.  This is ASI’s highest Level of achievement.  Truly worthy of an evening of merry making, cheer and congratulations!   

Your host,  Loren McFadden  Cell   (248) 568-5960 Please RSVP by clicking on the link, or email to  loren.j.mcfadden@gmail.com.

Evening sails at Kensington - - Don Caley

You know about Wet n' Wild Wednesdays at Kensington Metropark - Bob Dallos and John Johnston are on deck, to get you matched up with a crew, if you're rated - or with a skipper, if you're not. Then you'll get a little help from them at the outer dock when you're ready to take off, and return after your sail. 

And there's also Thundering Thursdays, same place, twenty four hours later, with Dave Amsdill and Don Caley to assist. 

But there's a problem with Thursdays- lots of students but not enough rated skippers. Last Thursday, lots of new sailors showed up, but were disappointed that there were not enough rated skippers to take them out!

So Dave and I will try again this Thursday, but unless things improve, we'll be rethinking this Thursday schedule. Ideas? We'd like to hear them. Email me.

Keelboat class news - - Bill Lane

I am proud to announce that the following students have passed the the Level 2 Class:

• Jim Bills
• Jerry Brady
• Regina Brim
• Rick Cortright
• Judy Martins
• Casilda deBenito
• Diana Jaeger
• Chow Kevin
• Andrew Leszczynski
• Lori Lozen
• Mark Costin
• Patrick McArthur
• Kate McRae
• Christian McTurk
• Joe Phillips
• Aga Polkowska
• Pete Roberson
• Lidia Simeonova
• Albena Tzoneva
• Mark Valentine
• Steve Wyborski
• Jim Baubie

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The following sailors have passed the Level 3/4 Class: 

• Calvas, Tony
• Clark, Dave
• McFadden, Loren
• Simeonov, Simeon
• Ei, David
• Tzonev, George

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Level 2 Class 2011

Become a Level 2 Captain andSail the Level 2 O’Day 28 foot Keel boats Interlude and Overture on Lake St Clair

Learn the basics of: navigation and GPS, docking a keelboat, anchoring, keelboat sailing, radio operation, boat systems, rules of the road for power boats, and much more

  Prerequisites are:

1. Declare sailing ability by submitting a sailing resume to head of Level 2 instruction.
2. Be an ASI member and Level 1 Sail Pass holder with all volunteer hours up to date.
3. Complete and present a certificate showing completion of US Power Squadron or US Coast Guard Auxiliary Safe Boating / Basic Seamanship course before the start of Level 2 classes. The class must have a navigation component. 

Sail longer and farther than ever before!

Contact Bill Lane, Level 2 head instructor, for details248-891-6125Email: wjl6355@gmail.com

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Level 3/4 class for 2011

Level 2 sailors, it is not to early to be think of joining the level 3/4 class for 2011

Sail to interesting ports such as

•       Thames River
•       Port Huron/Sarnia
•       Goderich
•       Kincardine
•       Port Elgin
•       Harbor Beach
•       Tobermory
•       Killarney

Georgian Bay and the finest cruising area in North America.

The North Channel

Enter beautiful coves such as: Cover Portage Cove, Snug Harbour, Marianne cove, The Pool and Browning Cove

Learn advance navigation techniques and enhance your knowledge of GPS

• Do off shore sailing work
• Advanced anchoring
• Boat provisioning
• Crew organization
• Sail to a destination overnight
• Prerequisite are to have a Level 2 sail pass and work hours current, and to sail the Level 2 keel boats 8 times, 4 times as captain and 4 times as crew.

Contact Bill Lane for details 248-891-6125  or Email to wjl6355@gmail.co

Ahoy, Level 1 Sailors and Students! - - JoAnne McClure

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.

Crew and skipper matchup

How does 'crew and skipper matchup' work? Maybe you've put together a cruise, taking one of our keelboats for a few days, or even a few hours. But you're in need of another crew member or two. Maybe you've got a North Channel charter and need another crew member. Or maybe you're interested in crewing, but don't have a 'skipper' to sign on with. And Interlake sailors too; perhaps you'd like to set up a sail with another ASI sailor. Newbie or old salt, here's a way to find a skipper or fill out a crew.

If you're a skipper in need of crew, send me the particulars of your sail; the date, other members, destination, etc. Or if you are looking to crew for somebody else, send me possible dates, places, times, etc. I'll post responses here, and you can get in touch with a potential crewmember, or potential skipper. Be sure to include phone number and email address. 

Let's see if we can match everybody up, to make sure we take full advantage of this upcoming sailing season!

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• Jennifer and Mithat (husband-wife pair) -- current Level 1 students looking for practice sail opportunities on Kent Lake anytime we can get them.  Now until Sept., we are both generally available almost anytime EXCEPT Mon & Wed daytime.  Please email or call if you’d be willing to take us out. Ward-batts@wayne.edu  248-930-1169
• I'm busy Mon. and Wed. mornings but available most other days if someone needs a crew member for a keel boat. I recently got my L2 rating. Steve Wyborski
• My name is Suzanne Moore. I am an experienced Flying Scot sailor (7 years; 5 as crew, 2 as skipper) who has recently joined ASI. I am interested in crewing for anyone who may need crew. If I don't have to complete classes before I could skipper (with an experienced member perhaps?) that would be great too. Reply to Suzanne.  My email address is sbenlouc@med.umich.edu
• I am a level 1 member looking to crew to gain experience. Weekdays are best, some weekends available. Call Chris, 248-245-4433 or email me at chris@retrosoftware.net. Cheers! Best Regards,Christopher G. O'Reilly   

• We need a First Mate for a Sunday sail with my family… please call or email! Rick Cortright, 248-333-3300 cell:  248-722-3407

   

Flotsam and Jetsam

• Don Sharpe was sailing the North Channel last week, so a 'makeup' Maintenance workshop has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 24 at 9 am. Mark your calendar!
• The Summer ASI picnic is on August 7 at the East Boat Launch at Kensington, and is being coordinated again by Marilyn Alimpich. Be there or be square! 
• 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!) 
• The entire Race Calendar is posted in the Racing section of the ASI website.

ASI Picnic on Saturday August 7

The Kent Cup Teams have been chosen - - Joe Jaeger

The competing teams for the Kent Cup were chosen and are as follows.  Note that crew members are listed in race order.

• Interlake #6- Steve Poulos- Joe Phillips
• Interlake #7- Joe Jaeger- Gary Crosbie
• Interlake #9- Alberto Ferrero- Sherri Gregory- David Wilpula
• Interlake #10- Mary Hein- Kathy Chrzanowski- Fred Trinker
• Interlake #11- Michael Golden- Diana (Boss) Jaeger- Chris O'Reilly

Teams, get out and practice, polish those hulls and work with ASI's Maintenance crew (you do the work, they provide direction) on any items you think need to be addressed on your boats.  Remember, these are the boats and crew you will be sailing with until after the Kent Cup on August 7.

We need race committee volunteers for the Kent Cup. We're looking for volunteers to act as Race Committee.  We will need at least one individual with power boat status and another individual to officiate the start sequence, keep score, etc.  We will provide instruction/direction for RC volunteers and you will even get volunteer hours for helping.  If interested, please click here to  contact me , or at the email address below.

WANT TO RACE?We still have slots and boats available.  If you are an ASI Racer (previous or current) and would like to participate in the Kent Cup, please let me know.

Joe Jaeger Racing Manager    Email: joe@computer.org

Keelboat timeshares for 2010 - - Jon Buyle

Timeshares continue to be 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

10 AM Day sailors - Sailing Monday to Friday - - Vic Macks

JOIN THE FUN! Captain or crew with the 10 am Day Sailors one or more week days, Monday to Friday

For Lake St. Clair, must be level 2 or above for Overture and Interlude and Level 3/4 for Voyager and Manitou. For Kent and Stony Creek, must be Level 1 or above. Respond to Vic Macks at vicmacks3@gmail.com giving name, rate, preferred email address and phone, which week days, Monday through Friday, that you are typically available, and interest in sailing which lake.

Here's how it works: I will  send the recurrently updated  list to all participants. We would perhaps sail once or twice per week as you wish. We can look ahead 1 to 2 or 3 days, see what the weather is and choose the better day. Day time week days boats are least used and available on short notice. Any member of the 10 AM DAY SAILERS could email (or phone) others who are listed as typically available on a given day and get a member's commitment to sail. A Lake St. Clair sail, of course, means that the first commitment of a crew member is necessary (a phone call response might be quicker)  before the initiating captain books the time share with a call to Jon Buyle (which also may involve a delay waiting for a response from Jon). All crew who commit to sail a Lake St. Clair boat commit, of course, to share the time share fee.

When a member of the 10 AM DAY SAILERS expects to be away or otherwise unavailable for a period of time, they can inform me with an email. I will email an updated list as the need arises. That way, everyone is current on who's available for crew. For Lake St. Clair, we will stay on the U.S. side of the shipping channel, so an I-68 or Nexus isn't necessary, but adequate identification would be asked for on the U.S. side if stopped by Home Land Security or Coast Guard, which has happened. We will keep it simple, but can change the way we work if there are kinks in the plan. Questions?

See you on the dock, Vic

One more thing...

How many North Channel crews this summer have included a blogger? Caley's did, last week. After the long drive up to Little Current, and some schedule issues, they had a great week sailing Shadowfax, a 37' Jib-sea!  But that's a whole other story! Read Matt Sharpe's account of their sail, as they explored both east and west sides of the swinging bridge.  

http://jamaicamansworld.blogspot.com.

The ASI Burgee is back on an 'every Tuesday' schedule. The next one will be Tuesday, July 27. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday July 25.