ASI Office re-opens tomorrow  - - Lisa Drumm, Sail Secretary

Thank you for your understanding and patience during my son's surgery and recovery. The office will re-open tomorrow at 8am, Wednesday, April 6.

Best Regards,

Lisa Drumm

Sail Secretary

Phone: 248-393-4280

Office Hours:

8-10am, Mon-Fri

UPDATED LEVEL 3 /4 POSITIONS OVERVIEW - - Norm Schmidt

Level 3/4 Management can be a team responsible for coordinating Level 3/4 operational activities. Specifically, these positions and activities include:

Level 3 /4 Manager – Volunteer needed

Level 3 /4 Assistant Manager – Volunteer needed

The L3/4 Manager is the primary team leader and liaison for the Level and can be tremendously instrumental in all related efforts.

• Communications to Membership regarding L3/4 specific concerns
• Ensuring Timeshare Captains follow Level 3 /4 procedures
• Hosting L3/4 specific meetings
• Represent L3/4 membership at General Sail and Operations meetings

Assistant Maintenance Director for Level 3 /4 – Tom Baker has volunteered

• Lead Organizer for commissioning of L3/4 Keelboats
• Lead Organizer for decommissioning of L3/4 Keelboats
• Oversight for L3/4 Operational Activities 

Dinghy Boat Captain – Dave Clark has volunteered

Assistant Dinghy Boat Captain – Tony Calvas has volunteered

These are very important positions for ASI.

You can volunteer to fulfill one of these commitments as part of a team – i.e. co-managers.  Your efforts will be greatly appreciated!  

Note that the Level 3/4 Manager position is not responsible for organizing the North Channel timeshare lottery.  The Level 3/4 Manager is only responsible for coordinating this event with the North Channel Lottery Committee 

If you are a L3/4 member, please consider volunteering for this position.  The absence of a L3/4 Manager will be most consequential to you and your peers in L3/4. Contact Joe Jaeger for more details at joe@computer.org

The Interlake 'put-in' schedule - - Don Caley

Next Saturday we'll begin prepping the Interlakes for launching at Kent Lake and Stony Creek. Here's the schedule for April:

• April Saturdays - 9, 16, Boat preparation at Crawford Farm
• Saturday, April 23 - Transportation and installation of dock boxes and launch of the powerboat at Kensington Metropark
• Saturday April 30 - Trailering and launch day!

Is this a rigid schedule? No! A lot depends on the kind of weather we get, and the turnout. But it's a general guide to what we need to get done; there are generally one or two Saturdays when it's too cold or wet to work at Crawford Farm. 

If you're planning on coming to Crawford Farm to help out this Saturday, please let me know. That will help in determining more efficiently what tasks we want to tackle.  Thanks!  

Crawford Farm location

Where's Crawford Farm?

If you're driving west on I96, take the 155B exit toward Milford. A couple of miles north, turn right on Buno, a gravel road. Go one mile to South Hill, also gravel, and turn left. Crawford Farm will be about 300 yards north, on the left. Pull into the drive, and park behind the outbuildings. 

We'll be starting around nine and will work for 2 or 3 hours, depending on the weather. See you there!

Level 1 boat prep starts off well  - - Joan Swain, Level 1 manager

With a hearty group of volunteers this past Saturday at Crawford Farm, we have a good start on prepping the boats for launch day at the end of the month.  

Actually, the boats stayed covered since the Maintenance Team on hand of the 'Dons' (Caley-DeRyckere-Sharpe) and Bob Moon decided to get other necessary jobs out of the way.  The focus was on some inventory, the power boat 'garage' cover, and varied jobs with the boat trailers.  It also was a chance to discuss a reemerging L1 topic with a couple members.

I want to thank those who showed up:  Dave Amsdill, Mark Costin, Laura Miele, Blaise Molitoris, David Pardy, Gary Roush, John Tiley, Stan Urbiel and Roxanne Zanotti.

        Photos by John Tiley

Ahoy Instructors and Instructor Wannabes! - - JoAnne McClure

Spring is here, and it's time for Level 1 Instructor Training! The workshops are designed to provide information for instructors, both experienced and new. If you've been thinking that you'd like to earn volunteer hours for sailing (what a novel idea??), this may be for you. Even if you're not sure you want to take out brand new sailors, you may want to teach Intro Class (how to rig, taught at the dock) or even shore school! It's fun and the best way to sharpen up your own skills.

The workshops will meet on Wednesday, April 20 & 27 at Wayne State Oakland Center on 12 Mile Rd, West of Farmington Rd. Time is 6:30 - 9:30 PM. If you plan to attend and do not have a copy of the Instructor's Handbook, please contact JoAnne McClure (je-mcclure@earthlink.net) for an electronic copy.

Hope to see you there!   JoAnne

Keelboat preparation for Spring Launch - - Jack Townsend and Tom Baker

It's time to unwrap the keelboats. This Saturday is the "official" start of the Keelboat Spring Launch Prep. Last Saturday the Boat Captains, Assistant Boat Captains, and Level Managers began working on the boats and purchasing supplies for "painting and waxing". This Saturday we will take the shrink wrap off the boats and begin prepping them for their April 19th launch date.

There is much to do on both the L2 and L3~4 boats so come on out and join the L2 and L3~4 students in getting the boats ready for your 2011 sailing season

We only have 5 Saturdays to get everything done before the boats are handed over to instruction for this year's on-water classes.

We have encountered a small pothole this year - Overture will be moved to another location in the yard this week. When the boats went on their stands last year the yard placed Overture too close to one of the access ramps to Ovation and Infinity's dock so they have requested that our boat be moved. As always you don't waive the "rules of the road" flag when the other boat is ten times bigger than you, so move we shall. We are not yet sure where she will be relocated but we have asked for a spot as close to the other boats as possible.  

See you this Saturday - 9am to 4 pm. Wear your 'working-on-boat' clothes.

Jack Townsend

Asst. Maint. Director L2

Tom Baker

Asst. Maint. Director L3~4

mark your calendars for April 14 - - Joan Swain

The upcoming General Sail meeting on April 14 will have a broad level of interest. The agenda will be free-ranging but a possible BVI flotilla will likely be a main topic, since there is lots of interest in a 'snowbird' winter getaway this coming winter (yes, ASI plans waaaay ahead!).  If you want to be updated on formulating plans - and deadline considerations -  to be sailing in the warm waters of the Caribbean next February, don't miss this meeting!

Also, as time allows, some updates will be given the Kent Lake flagpole pavers, and mentoring of our newest members.

Kensington New Boat Name Contest -- - Joan Swain

This is the second request for you to submit a name for our soon-to-be newest Interlake.  The good news is she will have a name as two have been submitted for your voting later this month.  To increase the suspense of which name will win, I'm thinking of adding the closest runners-up from last year if those who submitted them then do not resubmit, or may add a couple of my own.

However, if you want your name to have a chance of winning, get it to me jkswain36@att.net.

Again, the rules:  no proper names for people, schools, mascots, etc.  And while an enhancing thought process for one of the submissions was given, the names will stand alone for voting.

APRIL DAY! APRIL DAY! - - Attention all keelboat captains! - - Marilyn Leece

Don't be in distress! Plan your ASI 2011 Sailing Season now.

First Come! First Served! 

Local Keel boat Timeshare Reservations begin soon! 

WHEN?   MAY 1ST, 2011 

WHO?  Contact Keel boat Timeshare Scheduler:            

Jon Buyle @ (313) 881-6393 (jmb51@hotmail.com)

Please review the ASI website calendar BEFORE contacting Jon Buyle for your timeshare dates. All timeshares must be reserved with a credit card. Card is charged at the time of the time share. Please note:There will be limited timeshare dates available due to Level 2, 3 & 4 Instruction classes held through June. 

Hope to "sea" you at the dock! Marilyn Leece

Level 2 Manager

Open Timeshares for the North Channel!

You're a level 4 sailor? and you missed the February lottery meeting? You're in luck! 

There are still two open timeshares on Voyager for July 2 and July 9, and one open timeshare for Manitou on July 9. Interested? Contact Norm Schmidt for details. 

What are you going to learn this season? - - Michael Golden

Would you like to refine your sailing skills? Having another boat sailing nearby at your performance level is a great teacher. You don’t have to get competitive about racing to gain confidence in your ability on the helm.

The racing season opens with a class on safety, right of way rules, and go-fast techniques.   On the water practices give you a chance to brush up on boat handling with drills & starting exercises. You are assigned to a crew with an experienced person on board for the weekend, morning or afternoon sessions. Each crewmember gets to skipper if they wish. You learn how to put up the spinnaker at a dockside workshop. We gather under a tree or at a cafe after events to exchange ideas and make excuses!

New racers must attend the basic race seminar being held Thursday April 14, 7pm, at Busch’s Market, 37083 Six Mile Road, (East of Newburgh Road), Livonia, 48152. Classroom is upstairs. You will see what it is all about.  

The racing program is open to returning sailors at a charge of $25 for the season + 2 volunteer hours on L1 maintenance. Previously rated first time racers fee is $15. There is no racing fee for newly rated Level 1 members for this season. 

Step in, Step up.......be a  Station Leader

 However you categorize it, we're looking for some new faces to help out with the Interlake launch April 30.   While we are still hopeful that most of the Station Leader team from prior year launches are able to help out, we know that there will be vacancies for you.  Yes, you.  So, if you've volunteered at a prior launch, and can see yourself as helping with a specific position at this year's launch, this is directed to you.   Reply to Kate McRae (kmamcrae@hotmail.com)  or Joan Swain (jkswain36@att.net).  Thank you.

Anatomy of a North Channel Cruise - - Don CaleyY?

THE FIVE BEST ANCHORAGES WEST OF LITTLE CURRENT 

There are, by my count, approximately a gazillion great anchorages west of Little Current. Below are five of my favorites. Other seasoned North Channel sailors will have different favorites. That's great, it keeps mine uncrowded! Here's mine:

Crocker Island

You’ll be well protected here from almost all directions, if you tuck up close to the rocky shoreline. Tie off the bow to shore, and put out a stern anchor. But this anchorage can get crowded; if that happens, and it’s getting late, swing around to the eastern side of Croker and there’s a terrific little bay where the protection is good from any direction except east.  

The Benjamins

There are numerous anchorages in the Benjamins and they're all good; I like South Benjamin. In all the Ontario travel brochures, THIS is the one that is always pictured. Be careful going in and watch your depth. Once in, I like to either go as deep as possible without running out of water. Better yet, if there is room, tie off to shore at the big pink rocks with a stern anchor out. It’s a good idea to have a marker float over your stern anchor, to prevent fouling from latecomers. Get there early to enjoy the show as other boats come in and jockey for position.  

Eagle Island

I love this anchorage! It’s not rocky, just greenery all around. It never gets crowded, and the bottom is good for a secure anchor. There’s protection from all directions. No problem going in, just one big rock that is evident and easy to navigate around.

The Otter Islands

You’ll find the Otter islands along the southern edge of the Whalesback channel. After you’ve come through Little Detroit and are within the Whalesback, keep the shoreline on your port side and proceed westerly. There are numerous anchorages here between the shoreline and the Otter Islands. Protection is good from all directions, and lots of room. It never gets crowded here.

Clapperton harbor

You have to be careful approaching Clapperton, but the entrance is clearly marked with bouys to indicate hazards. Once in, you can swing clockwise around the center island, where you can see the abandoned lodge once owned and run by the Fruehauf company. The adventurous can go ashore and explore the old buildings, but caution is advised; read the warning signs, and watch for poison ivy and snakes! Lots of room here, and protection is good from prevailing westerly winds, if you get behind the big central island.  

NEXT WEEK - PART 7 - PROVISIONING FOR YOUR NORTH CHANNEL CRUISE

One more thing...       

It's the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of our sailing program! In March of 1961, several members of AYH (ASI's parent organization) got together to form a 'pilot' sailing instruction program. They borrowed a couple of small sailing dinghies and started teaching sailing at Kent Lake. It was enormously popular, and about a hundred 'wannabes' became sailors that year. Then, thirty years later, we split off to become ASI. Happy anniversary, all!

The ASI Burgee is back on a weekly schedule. The next one will be next Tuesday, April 12. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday for inclusion in that Burgee.