We've turned the corner!

Yes, a few days ago was the shortest day of the year. We're now proceeding inexorably toward longer days, and spring!

From here, high atop ASI World Headquarters, the entire Burgee staff wishes you and yours a bounteous New Year!

NEW Booty and Swag - - Dave Clark

ASI now has it's own store! Queensboro Shirt Company has set up our own store to sell their products. All profits will be sent to ASI on a weekly basis.We have new logo's and new products including both printed and embroidered items. Pay with your own credit card and have the item shipped whereever youwant.

Your polo, sweatshirt or jacket will sport NOT ONLY the cool ASI logo, but also your area of special interest - racing, instruction, maintenance, cruising!  

You will be dealing directly with the Queensboro company. I will no longer be the middleman! I really hope this is a big improvement for you and our club. Please give it a try.  Here's the website:

www.asibootyandswag.qbstores.com  

Put this link in your favorites and it willbe easy to find whenever you are ready. Save this phone number in case you needsome help with your purchase.  (1-800-847-4478 Queensboro Shirt Company).I hope to add even more logos soon.

Thanks, Dave

'Strictly Sail' boat show in Chicago - - Tom Baker

Anyone want to go to the Strictly Sail show at the Navy Pier in Chicago the weekend of January 27-30, 2011?

Norm Schmidt and I are going over on Thursday (Jan. 27) and returning Saturday (Jan. 29) on the Amtrak train leaving from Dearborn. We will be staying at the Doubletree Hotel near the Navy Pier.  (Cost per night is about $100.) It would be fun have a delegation from ASI at this event.  Seminars are interesting and there's always lots of boats to look at. Email Tom Baker or call him at 313-319-2681

Key dates in January ! 

Zyggi Lawrence has taken the tiller again, as General Sail Manager, to put General Sail back on course! The first General Sail meeting - in a very long time - is set up for 7 - 9 pm, Tuesday, January 18 at the Northville Public Library, 212 West Cady Street, Northville.

Subsequent General Sail meetings will follow on the third Tuesdays of each month. Stay tuned for more details, but in the meantime, put it in your calendar!

Please note that we'll be holding the January Awards dinner at the Monaghan K of C Hall (same place we had the October dinner meeting), on Saturday, January 22. Details to follow, but put it on your calendar! That one you don't want to miss! 

Keelboat cushion storage - - Peter Fulda

Back in October during keelboat decommissioning, concerned keelboaters took cushions from the Level 2 boats and Voyager III off the boats to provide them a warm environment throughout the winter and spring months. Unfortunately, no one with room to spare in their homes was able to come forward for Manitou's cushions. They are still on the boat. 

If you have room in a storage area, under beds or couches, please volunteer to take some of Manitou's cushions. This will avoid allowing them to absorb odors related to moisture or other sogginess issues during spring thawing. Please contact Peter Fulda at 248-624-0347 or at peterful@fastmail.fm.  Your help will be most appreciated.

A Gala Evening with Gary Jobson* - - 

Great Lakes Yacht Club presents:

A Gala Evening with Gary Jobson* 

All proceeds to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Michigan Chapter 

• February 11, 2011 6:30-11:00 pm
• The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House1100 Lake Shore RoadGrosse Pointe Shores, MI
• Music by Brian Lang
• Tickets $35
• Limited Seating
• Complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar available.

To order tickets, please call 800-456-5413 or online at http://mi.jobson.llsevent.org

*Curious about Gary Jobson? See the article directly below. 

Gary Jobson's background 

Gary has won many championships, including the America's Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race and many of the world's ocean races. In College at SUNY Maritime he was an All American sailor three times and was twice named College Sailor of the Year. He was sailing coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. He has won two EMMY Awards as sailing commentator for ESPN and PBS. 

Here's Gary Jobson's bio in Wikipedia:

Gary Jobson is a decorated sailor, television commentator, sailing lecturer, and author based in Annapolis, Maryland. He has recorded many achievements in his sailing career, having won multiple championships in one-design classes, the America's Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the Fastnet Race, and many of the world's ocean races.

Jobson is also an active cruising sailor, having led expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctica and Cape Horn.In October 2003 Jobson was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame by the Herreshoff Marine Museum. In 1999 Jobson won the Nathanael Herreshoff Trophy, US SAILING's most prestigious award, and as of 2010 is the current president of US SAILING.[1]

Jobson is also the National Regatta Chairman of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's sailing program.Jobson has authored 15 books on sailing, and is Editor at Large of Sailing World and Cruising World magazines. In addition to his print work he has been ESPN's sailing commentator since 1985. He won an Ace Award for Cable Excellence for his coverage of the 1987 America's Cup.

In 1988 Jobson won an Emmy for his production of sailing at the Olympic Games in South Korea and also won an Emmy for the 2006 Volvo Ocean Race on PBS.In college Jobson was named an All-American sailor three times and was twice named College Sailor of the Year (1972, 1973).

He graduated with his Bachelors Degree and Third Mate's License (Unlimited Tonnage) from the State University of New York Maritime College in 1973. He began his career as a sailing coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.Jobson currently races an Etchells, owns a Sabre 402, Whirlwind and has a partnership in a NYYC Swan 42, Mustang.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is honored to have had Gary serve as national chairman of The Leukemia Cup Regatta since 1994. In 2003, after years of committed service on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Gary was diagnosed with lymphoma and, in his words, "became a beneficiary of the research advances I had helped support." He is now cancer-free.

The 2010 Fog Dog Award nominees - Claire Zepeda

What's a 'Fog Dog'? 

The definition of a Fog Dog is a bright spot, sometimes seen at the horizon, as a fog starts to dissipate. Origin: From the fact that it accompanies fog as a dog accompanies its owner.  

Undoubtedly you know many ASI members who give generously of their time and talents – often with limited or no recognition of their enormous contributions. The ASI Board has just approved an annual award that will be given to one of those “unsung heroines/heroes”.  The award has been named the ASI Fog Dog.

FOG DOG AWARD NOMINEES

Below are listed (alphabetically) the nominees for the first FOG DOG AWARD.  Voting will take place at the January Awards Banquet. If you will not be in attendance, you can also vote via email: clairezepeda@gmail.com - I will confirm receipt of your vote.

• Dave Amsdill
• Don Caley
• Dave Clark
• Bill Lane
• Jack Townsend

Before voting, be sure and read the nominations and tributes to these very dedicated sailors. 

Dave Amsdill

It isn't easy, singling out just one person for this award. There are so many that contribute so much! I've tried to think just of those that have done much, and yet have hardly even been noticed. 

So I nominate Dave Amsdill for the 2010 FogDog award. He's the guy that shows up for all the 'Thundering Thursdays' at Kent Lake, in late afternoon, to make sure that new sailors get matched up with rated skippers to sail the Interlakes. He's dependable and quiet. He's always on hand during Interlake 'put-in' and 'takeout' to either tow the boats to and from the farm, or work at the East Boat Launch, or at the farm. 

He's also saw a way to make the Milford 'boat house' more efficient. He did the design, bought the materials and installed shelves along the south wall to keep our sails dry and off the floor. He also modified our 'mast transit' trailer for carrying even more boating equipment.

Don Caley

Don was the ASI's first president, 1992-95, as it spun off from AYH.  While I was not a very active, nor involved, member in those days, I do recall that there were many items of major concern, a key one being how to keep the fleet and pay for them as I recall they were the property of AYH.  I expect what I have found to be his steady manner in handling whatever comes his way was a major factor in giving ASI a solid foundation in those crucial first years. 

I also found out recently that of the 18 years since ASI's origination, Don has been a Board member for most of them (right now, I'm forgetting the exact number, but I recall it was between 12 and 16 yrs....and can certainly check that out if needed).  So for all those years, he has been an active influence in what ASI has evolved to. Aside from those 2 major facts, Don is "Mr. Burgee."  He's the one that compiles and edits all the input to give us weekly notices during the sailing season, and off season as such arises.  As well, he creates columns & graphics - I recall the  North Channel articles this year - which I am sure were valuable to those sailing in those waters - or wanting to. 

He is also head of L1 maintenance, though he laughs that that means he doesn't have to do anything, but I expect he's a factor in what has become a reliable 5 man team, who not only year after year maintain the Kent Lake boats but have become a cohesive unit with their weekly Sat breakfast meetings - off season as well. 

In past years, he has headed up ASI publicity in Milford with their local press coverage, a relationship that allowed another to have one of the few press coverages that a team of 4 of us barely surpassed this past spring.  Don's prior contact gave us great coverage, which I had heard spun off to a sister newspaper. 

And to top off with a feeling of merriment, Don has been one to connect with the Milford 4th of July parade, another source of PR, to which members are invited to bring their children to ride 1 of the ASI boats.  This year, he created a mock mast & boom for the parade from which we could more visibly hang a banner. 

And I noticed just this past L1 take-out, that Don was the one to take on a task that seemed to have been overlooked.  The 7 dockboxes were not being transported.  So Don went to the farm, got the flatbead and made 2 trips hauling that load.   I'm sure that was not the most fun task, but Don took it on. 

Personally, Don is the reason I'm enjoying a greater involvement with ASI - as this past year's L1'manager.'  If it weren't for Don's gentle way of coaxing and reassuring, that may have been one more slot not filled in the Club. 

I know there is more that Don has had his hand in during his 18 years with ASI.  The above are just what I know. and are enough for me to nominate Don for the Fog Dog award.  He not only got ASI off to a good start, but has found ways throughout the years to create varied ways to be of service, spread the word of ASI, and be a steady, wise influence.  Frankly, I do have others in mind to nominate, but those will await other years. Thank you for this consideration.

Dave Clark

I would like to nominate Dave Clark. Dave has spent countless hours on Voyager's maintenance - keeping her in ship shape condition. Dave also timeshared multiple weeks in the North Channel - helping to fill the North Channel calendar - a definite financial benefit for the club.

Bill Lane

I nominate Bill Lane. He is the catalyst for the transition of so many.If it wasn't for him for the last 8 years, no one would reach level 2. And for the last two years, no one would reach level 3/4. 

Second nomination: I would like to nominate Bill Lane for the 1st annual Fog Dog award. Like many of the “founding” members Bill wore many different hats during the early years of ASI, eventually finding his favorite hat, his passion; teaching others, not only how to sail but how to love sailing. Bill has given countless hours, days, and years in the pursuit educating and encouraging ASI sailors at all levels, whether they are new to the sport or old salts, they can always count on Bill for help or advice.

I have often referred to Bill as ASI’s Pied Piper, teaching the beginning L1 student, guiding them onto L2, encouraging them into L4, where he puts the finishing touches on their sailing education with a transfer trip to the North Channel.  Like the rest of us Bill puts away his sailing gear at the end of October but unlike most of us his new season starts in November. There are plans to be made for next season’s shore classes, revisions made to the classroom manuals, new information to be added, improvements to be made, proofreading the changes, classroom presenters and assistant instructors to be lined for spring classes. This is a big job and it takes many, many hours of off-season preparation, all those hours culminating in March when Bill steps to the podium, taps the keyboard and the first slide pops up on the screen, and 30 students settle in for their first step in becoming a keelboat sailor.

Sounds like a lot of work doesn’t it? Now double the effort. When Barb Carlson had to relocate to North Carolina, vacating the L3-4 instructor position, Bill stepped forward and filled the void. During most of March and April Bill is teaching two nights a week, arriving well before 6 p.m. and leaving well after 10 p.m., always willing to stay a little later to answer questions or help someone with a chart plotting problem. In May Bill sets aside the classroom materials and heads for the boats, where he puts on his L2 on-water instructor’s hat. As soon as the L2 on-water classes end Bill must prepare for the L4 transfer trip where he is the Lead Instructor.

By the end of June, when all of the keelboat classes have ended Bill can relax a little and just concentrate on teaching, mentoring, and testing out L1 students. As L1 wraps up toward the end of August it gives Bill some time to organize and prepare for his annual Labor Day Lake Erie Flotilla, a hugely successful week of sailing among the islands of Lake Erie, leading the entire ASI keelboat fleet. Fog Dog or Pied Piper, Bill has opened the door for countless ASI sailors, helping them turn their dream into reality. Sailing from the islands of the North Channel to the islands of Lake Erie, Bill leads the way, ASI’s guiding light.

Jack Townsend

I nominate Jack Townsend as the first recipient of this award because I reallybelieve that without him, this past year would have been a disaster. We mayhave only had one or two boats in service most of the year. He completelycleaned out two fuel tanks. Replaced a muffler and fuel filters and cleanedand rewired one bilge pump and rebuilt VIII bilge pump. The hours he spent "in the lazarrete" was amazing. Early morning to late afternoon. I always heard"I just want to look at one more thing". The whole time he was working on Level 2 boats, he always made time to help me on VIII, and he was teaching whoever he was helping all the time by explaining everything, and explaining, and explaining, and explaining, and explaining. Every time I see Jack, I learnsomething and it's fun to learn from him. He seems to have time for everybody.Choosing a single person was hard because my instructors were so terrific andI know that they put in such long hours also. These and all the volunteers together are what makes this club great. Thank you all. 

I am proposing Jack Townsend, he spends endless hours repairing,improving our boats, they may have been out of use at times if not for jack, he spent countless hours sharing his knowledge with other captains.  He is a joy to sail with, always encouraging.     

I have learned how to be safe and still enjoy sailing and learning from Jack Townsend. He seems to teach without telling you what to do. He inspires you to be a “captain” (not just regurgitate information) and assists you to be a better sailor.He can explain why you check the oil (and not mention this is the umpteenth time he showed you how to) He will take the time on a sunny, windy day to go over the cooling system, electrical system, radio use, head usage (and not mention he is wasting precious time share money/sailing time.) He knows he showed you this before, he knows he will have to show you again  but still instructs with the enthusiasm of the first time. PLEASE when giving him this award -Don't let him know he is always right but somehow acknowledge that he is.   

Jack Townsend epitomizes the definition of a fog dog. On a foggy day, a bright light on the horizon:  guiding, brightening, lighting the way. 

One example (of many that I can recall): During the week before the Annual Ladies Only Time Share (involving all 4 keelboats and 20+ women sailors), one of the Level 2 boats had a very serious maintenance issue that took it out of service and required buying, fabricating and installing a major engine component. Jack spent hours (many of them in the confined, hot lazarette) making that repair.  In fact he was finishing the work well after midnight the day of the sail. He was definitely our bright and shining light that day!

the 2011 Detroit Regional Yacht-racing Association Winter Seminars

Here's a description of the 2011 DRYA Winter Seminar Series, scheduled for most Wednesdays in January, February, and March. All seminars are free (except for the CPR seminar with a nominal materials fee) and open to the public.

January 5, 2011:"Sailing, Pure and Sometimes Simple"

is a potpourri look at the joys of sailing from three different viewpoints by people who are living their dreams. Our first seminar of the 2011 series will feature three speakers relating their unique sailing experiences: Jim Hiller, owner and builder of a Contessa 32 (the smallest boat to survive the fabled and devastating 1979 Fastnet Race) will discuss his building and design adventure; Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki from the Detroit Free Press who has written regularly about Michigan sailing will discuss how she combined her vocation and her avocation; and Jim Rapelje will discuss his first Trans-Atlantic crossing in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers on a 44 foot catamaran. We are all sailors and experience is what it is all about! This free seminar will be hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on January 5, 2011. The restaurant will be open ahead of time, accepting credit cards only. Beverage service will be available. The formal dress code will be waived.

January 12, 2011“Race Management”

A sailboat race is defined by three documents, a notice ofrace, the sailing instructions and the rule book. Com. Jim Rodgers, a U.S.Sailing certified regional race officer will take you through these documents so you know what to expect from the race committee when you get to the race course. This event will be held at the Edison Boat Club on Wednesday evening, January 12, 7:00 –9:00 PM. Limited food and beverage service will be available beforehand. Credit cards or cash accepted.

January 19, 2011:“Engine Maintenance & Trouble Shooting”

Everything in sailing is important, but some things are more important and frustrating than others. You may understand this better if you have been in the situation where the engine fails to start or charge the batteries. Our seminar presenter, Paul Lee, started Waterfront Boatworks in 1995. He grew up sailing at the DYC. While in the U.S. Coast Guard he was trained as a machinery technician and became a second-class petty officer. He has worked on engines ranging from Cooper Bessemer's (freight train engines) to 9 hp outboards.Topics to be discussed include:1. Understanding the cycles of an engine.2. How and why to do a compression test. How to adjust valve clearances.3. Understanding the fuel system. How to bleed the fuel system. How to change a fuel filter.4. Understanding the oil system. How to change marine engine oil.5. Understanding the marine exhaust system. 6. Understanding marine engine cooling systems.This offering to the series seminars will be held at the Great Lakes Yacht Clubon Wednesday January 19, 2011 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. No restaurant service available.

January 26, 2011:“Understanding Your Sailboat’s Electrical System”

Com. Skip Gmeiner and sons Ron and Steve will present an in-depth, but practical look at this sometimes vexing topic. The Gmeiners are well-versed in this topic area as their commercial venture, SPEMCO, is one the largest manufacturers of nautical switches and control panels in the world. Topic areas will include: 1. New Battery-Saving LED Navigation Lights 2. Changes in ABYC Wiring Requirements 3. New Tricks with Existing Wiring 4. New Ways to Charge Auxiliary Batteries  5. Trouble-shooting Ideas. This new offering to the series seminars will be held at the Bayview Yacht Club on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 from 7:00 -9:00 PM. Restaurant and beverage service will be available.

February 2, 2011:“Chartering”

Our fifth seminar is another of our new topics this year. It will be an in-depth coverage of chartering, for cruisers as well as racers. Hope Swift, a fellow sailor and owner of Swift Yacht Charters will bring her years of sailing and chartering experience to share with us.In this two-hour seminar she plans to: i.) Explain the function of an independent charter agent; ii.) Discuss chartering options including bareboating and obtaining the qualifications necessary for those new to chartering; iii.) Provisioning & otherconsiderations; iv.) Availability of captained and fully crewed charters including destinations, planning, and itineraries; and v.)Theme charters (e.g. Racing, Diving Healthy Living, and Honeymoon /Anniversary. We trust that you'll join us in the midst of winter while we dream of the joys of other seasons! The Detroit Yacht Club will be our hosts for this seminar from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. The Starboard Haven Lounge will be open with a limited (special) menu starting at 5:30 PM. Credit cards please; the formal dress code has been waived..

February 9, 2011:“Weather for Poets”

Pat Healy served as head dinghy team coach at theNaval Academy from 1976 until 1981 and then again from 1998 until 2002.In between he was the Canadian National Sailing Coach leading the Canadians to win five Olympic medals and twenty-two Pan American medals. After leaving Canada, Pat ran the Louis Vuitton Cup for the1995 AMERICA’S CUP. He has been the marketing director for theCommanders’ Weather Corporation, a private weather forecasting company supporting racing and cruising boats worldwide. Pat graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology."Weather for Poets" is a non-technical explanation of why there is weather, why the weather patterns look the way they do, thunderstorms, lake breezes,what to look for on the water and on the internet. Join us at the Tompkins Center, Windmill Pointe Park (home of the Grosse Pointe Sail Club) on Wednesday evening, February 9, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. No restaurant facilities available.

February 16, 2011:“Medicine Afloat”

Once out on the water, we are very much left to our own devices and preparation with knowledge and supplies is often the key to safely continuing our sail or even safely returning to shore. With this in mind, we continue our efforts to bring new ideas and new voices to our superb group of seminar presenters over the past years with the addition of Dr. Robert Welch, M.D., M.S. from Wayne State University, Department of Emergency Medicine. His Medicine Afloat seminar, given from a sailor's perspective is sure to provide us with an educational evening addressing practical care in the setting of short term cruising and racing. This is an evening not to bemissed! This seminar will be hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Clubfrom 7:00 – 9:00 PM and as usual, is free and open to the public. Therestaurant will be open ahead of time, accepting credit cards only.Beverage service will be available. The formal dress code will be waived.

February 23, 2011:“De-Mystifying Rating Systems”

will be presented by DRYA ChiefHandicapper David Spiers and DRYA RC and Nautical Historian, David M.Coleman. The Holy Grail of any yacht rating system is the fair and equitable leveling of the playing field for often disparate vessels. The first part of the presentation will be a brief historical look at the evolution of sailboat ratingsystems. Prof. Coleman will review the evolution of thisconcept from the first 'America's Cup' race, through the mighty J's. Included will be a discussion of Herreshoff’s "Universal Rule" and the development of the alphabet classes (P, Q, R, and J) and the Meter Classes. The parameters from these early racing systems are precedent to today's and their evolution will be tracked descriptively and with visuals. The majority of the evening will briefly review the IRC, IMS, ORR and One Design handicapping systems and usage in today's yacht racing. Then we will discuss in detail the PHRF System used by about 80% of the racers in the world today, as well as who administers the databases and how consistency is addressed. We will cover the US Sailing databases, standards and what items affect the ratingand how we address them to give fair handicaps and racing across the many types of yachts racing today. Questions are welcome! Comments areexpected! The Detroit Yacht Club will be our hosts for this seminar from 7:00- 9:00 PM. The Starboard Haven Lounge will be open with a limited (special)menu starting at 5:30 PM. Credit cards please; formal dress code has been waived for the evening.

March 2, 2011:“Staying Alive With CPR”

When someone’s heartbeat or breathing stops, immediate CPR is critical to their survival. Learning how to properly administer Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a genuine life-saving skill. Get that training by joining us for a three-hour class taught by PC Loretta Rehe, and Ted and Janie Williford, fellow sailors and certified CPR instructors. There is a nominal fee of $30.00 to cover the cost of educational materials. Pre-registration before February 26th is mandatory in order to have adequate equipment and instructors on hand. Participation is limited to 30. If there is enough interest, a second class will be added on March 3rd at the same location and time. This seminar will be hosted, from 7:00 – 10:00 PM, by the Edison Boat Club. No food or beverages will be served. Pre-registration will be available at any prior Wednesday Night Seminar or through kevinvsherry@aol.com

March 9, 2011:“Saving Sailing … Continued”

This Seminar will be a significant follow-up on the special DRYA "Saving Sailing" Symposium last October that featured Nick Haynes, author of the best-seller "Saving Sailing." This seminar will feature Michigan native Dawn Riley who is an America's Cup and Around the World Sailboat racer who is also an accomplished businesswoman, community leader and youth-sports advocate, author, speaker, TV commentator and committed philanthropist. Dawn will discuss her own passion for `saving sailing' including her newest activities with the Oakcliff Sailing Center which is dedicated to training sailors, boat workers, owners and teams in order to raise the level of sailors and sailing in the United States. A panel discussion including a large group of local sailors (including Jim Rodgers) who have been meeting regularly at North Star to put together a "Saving Sailing"action plan will complete this fascinating and relevant evening. David Coleman will moderate the discussion. This program will be held at the North Star Sail Club from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. There will be a cash bar (cash or credit card). No food service.

March 16, 2011:“Basic Racing Rules”

“Saving Sailing … Continued” This Seminar will be a significant follow-up on thespecial DRYA "Saving Sailing" Symposium last October that featured Nick Haynes,author of the best-seller "Saving Sailing." This seminar willfeature Michigan native Dawn Riley who is an America's Cupand Around the World Sailboat racer who is also anaccomplished businesswoman, community leader and youthsports advocate, author, speaker, TV commentator andcommitted philanthropist. Dawn will discuss her own passionfor `saving sailing' including her newest activities with theOakcliff Sailing Center which is dedicated to training sailors, boat workers, ownersand teams in order to raise the level of sailors and sailing in the United States. Apanel discussion including a large group of local sailors (including Jim Rodgers)who have been meeting regularly at North Star to put together a "Saving Sailing"action plan will complete this fascinating and relevant evening. David Coleman willmoderate the discussion. This program will be held at the North Star Sail Club from7:00 – 9:00 PM. There will be a cash bar (cash or credit card). No food service.

March 23, 2011:“Safety at Sea”

This seminar, presented by Chuck Knowles and Margi Schneider, will be a practical discussion of safety issues and equipment that relate to both racing and cruising sailors. Chuck will present the very newest equipment available, and make numerous specific recommendations. Chuck and Margi are aggressively preparing their live-aboard yacht V-Twin for extended world cruising; lessons-learned to date, and planned upgrades will be discussed. This should be an instructive and entertaining evening. A special mystery guest will discuss safety from his perspective and explain what a sailboat ‘looks like' from the bridge of a fully-loaded 1000' freighter. This presentation is sponsored by West Marine. Please join us at the Grosse Ile Yacht Club on Wednesday evening, March 23rd from 7:00 -9:00 pm. The availability of food and beverage service will be posted later.

Volunteers for Board Meeting Recorder

The ASI Board of Trustees meets once each month (typically the fourth Monday of the month) Volunteer(s) are needed to assist the Board Secretary to take meeting minute notes.

The work can count toward volunteer hours.  If you are interested please contact Norm Schmidt at NSchmidt09@sbcglobal.net for more information.

2011 Keelboat classes - - Bill Lane

Become a Level 2 Captain and sail the Level 2 O’Day 28' 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 details 248-891-6125

Email: wjl6355@gmail.com

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Level 3/4 class for 2011

Level 2 sailors, it is not too 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. Explore beautiful coves such as: Covered Portage, 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.com

One more thing...

The ASI Burgee is now on an 'as needed' schedule. The next one will be - well, we just don't know! It depends on input! Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net