Super Sail Sundays - - Dave Amsdill

The Thundering Thursdays gang is moving it to Sundays where the daylight is more plentiful, the winds more brisk and the skies are not cloudy all day. (There’s a song in there somewhere). If you’re a student not yet rated or in the fall classes, this could be a great way to get some sailing practice in and get rated before the boats come out this fall. If you’re a rated sailor, it's a chance for an enjoyable sail and we could use your help. We anticipate having 5-7 students each week and could use more hands to take them out. And you earn hours as you sail! If you’re a newly rated sailor, come out and team up with a more experienced sailor and a student and gain more experience and confidence. Or, just show up for an open sail, meet new members and enjoy a little camaraderie.

Please join us for a new practice and open sailing experience on Sundays beginning this Sunday 9/18/11 from 1 PM till 3 PM. Also, there may be opportunities to join up with the “Fall off the Dock” racing group at 3:45 and add another dimension to the afternoon sail. If you are already included in the Thundering Thursdays email distribution you will automatically be included. If not, then please email me at amsdill@comcast.net to get on the list. Please include a cell phone number and whether you are student or rated. I will send out a reminder email a couple of days before with a weather forecast and ask you to let me know if you’re attending so that I may do my best to see that we have enough rated sailors to get everyone out sailing.

My sincere thanks to all who participated in Thundering Thursdays this year. We got some good sailing and practice in, got to know each other a bit and had some fun in the process. Special thanks to those rated sailors who so generously gave of their time to help the students get practice time in: Ron Green, Dana Simms, Rakesh Bharti, Stephen Kang, Judy Martens, Don Caley, Christian McTurk, Fred Tinkler, Ivan Roman, Sherri Gregory, John Tiley, Pam Schmidt, Deb Broomham, Richard Jagers , Mike Golden, Marlin Ristenbatt and George Koch. (Did I forget anyone?)

Remember, that’s “Super Sail Sunday”………just like “Super Bowl Sunday” except without the football, the commercials, and the hang-over……Who’s bringing the chips and dip?                  

See YOU there!

Dave Amsdill

Sail trim and boat handling -- Interested in improving? Try the ASI race program! - - Gary Crosbie

Are you interested in improving your skills in sail trim and boat handling? Consider joining us in the ASI racing program for a season or two. The “just-for-fun” fall racing series is about to begin. The “FOTD” fall off the dock series is scheduled for East Dock, Kent Lake, Kensington Metropark with sign-in at 1545 hour (3:45 pm) on the following dates (“Except for the last one, each race is on a Sunday afternoon.”)

• 18-Sep-2011
• 25-Sep-2011
• 02-Oct-2011
• 08-Oct-2011 (Saturday)

There’s no better training in sail trim and boat handling than you’ll find in the Level 1 racing program. When you make a change in sail trim, the Interlake boats will let you know right away whether the result is good or not. Adjustments in tension of the outhaul, boom vang, and main sheet are means to gather more sailing from a given amount of wind. “One-design” competitions provide immediate feedback on the finest details of sail trim success or not: The first one across the line has won the race!

Special notice for Level 2 and higher ASI members: If you are hankering to improve your large boat sail trim and handling skills, the lessons that you can learn in Level 1 racing program will be valuable to you, no matter what size boat you sail in. These advanced skills are not covered elsewhere in the ASI program. The races are good for confidence-building, too. If you have not been a captain in racing team, you may be surprised to learn that you may be still eligible to compete in the next (summer) season ASI novice Borovic award competition.

To aid our planning and communication with you, please send an email with the words “Interested in FOTD racing” and “y-o-u-r n-a-m-e” in the subject line to gcrosbie@comcast.net . Or, just show up!

Gary Crosbie, Racing Chair

WET and WILD Wednesdays are over for 2011 - -John Johnston and Bob Dallos

Wet and Wild Wednesday is in the books for 2011. Short days and fall projects seem once again seem to be getting in the way of the important things…… like sailing, storytelling and having summer fun.

Thank you to everyone that participated by sharing your skills with practice sails, cooperating with moving to different boats (even though you just helped rig one) and in general having a fun, relaxing evening at the lake. Without great people this program would not exist and ASI has the best. Just think spring!

See everyone soon, John Johnston and Bob Dallos

Interlake Maintenance Workshops - - Don Sharpe

This class is a requirement for level 1 certification. If you're taking the level 1 classes this year, be sure not to miss it!

The remaining schedule for this year has been changed to add an additional class to accommodate students.  We will have 3 more classes instead of the 2 previously scheduled.  The dates for the three remaining classes are September 17, September 24 and October 8.  I eliminated October 1 due to a personal commitment.  To make up for the canceled date (October 1) I added September 24 and October 8.

Next one will be this coming Saturday, September 17, at 9 am.

Already rated? Even if you've had the class before, you might want to take it again to refresh your knowledge of centerboard nomenclature, rigging, history and trivia.

Don Sharpe on Docking

This most important aspect of Docking is to have a plan and then communicating that plan with the crew prior to starting the docking maneuver.  While this plan can change from one docking to the next, there is one constant: have your paddles ready for use.  The paddles can be used to slow the boat to avoid hitting the dock or can be used to paddle to the dock if you come up short. We have seen many, many poor docking maneuvers without the paddles being used but not when the paddles are used properly.  

Do not use the centerboard to slow the boat when approaching the dock.  We have seen people drop the centerboard to the bottom of the lake to stop the boat prior to contacting the dock.  Two problems with this method.  One, the centerboard may be impeded form dropping due to seaweed in the centerboard truck, bent centerboard or other issues.  Two, if  the centerboard does contact the lake bottom and the boat turns then the centerboard can be bent easily. 

Using the centerboard is not reliable and can cause damage to the centerboard and centerboard trunk. Paddles work every time. Use them! 

Ahoy ASI Members, Friends and Guests! - - Party hearty !

You are cordially invited to a “Home Made Sangria” party in celebration of the Level 3-4 transfer trip 2011

What’s the occasion? Avast me hearties!

A group of Sea Dogs from ASI (American Sailing Institute) 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?

• Saturday, September 17th. 8:00 PM

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 annual celebration for the 2011 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 at: loren.j.mcfadden@gmail.com

Best policy is BEST - - Joan Swain

Dockmaster options - - Anne Ostroth

Since all members, rated or otherwise, are eligible to be a Dockmaster, keep in mind there is more flexibility than in years past to help your fellow members on weekends & holidays - and to engage interested non-members.    You have the option of committing to 2 hour shifts vs the long standing 4 hour shifts.

The shifts are from 9-11, 11-1, 1-3 and/or 3-5.   For those of you who want the more traditional 4 hours, all you need do is take two shifts - or three, or all four.   If you're planning on being at the Lake for another reason - i.e. Maintenance, sailing or just taking a breather from other obligations, think about slipping in 2 hours before or after to help others leave and approach the dock. 

Still keep me informed of your taking advantage of dockmastering.  Remember, all the information is in the Dockmaster notebook in the Dockmaster Box, but basically you'll be helping out those heading out or finishing a sail - on occasion making sea-worthy suggestions - reminding sailors to sign in & lock dockboxes or, as importantly,  being a PR person for those showing interest.   In any down time, you can check in with whatever latest electronic gadget you have, relax, read, or just enjoy the fact that you're helping the Club serve one of its functions.  My contact is aostr2@yahoo.com.

Thank you to those who have stepped forward this season, and an early thank you to those who still will. 

Level 2 Class 2012 - - Bill Lane

Become a Level 2 Captain and Sail 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

Prerequisite are:

1. Declare sailing ability by submitting a sailing resume to head of Level 2 instruction and have sailed the Interlake 8 times as a Level 1 rated sailor this year.

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. The “America’s Boating Course” has the component. Classes are offered by the Ann Arbor and Birmingham Power Squadrons in October.

Sail longer and farther than ever before

Contact Bill Lane, Level 2 head instructor, for details

248-891-6125

Email: wjl6355@gmail.com

One need, two reminders - - Joan Swain

Only need:  Man overboard bottles.  I'm late in getting this request to you, but Kent Lake could use replacement on some of their MOB bottles.  Preferred size is large.   Even with only 5.5 weeks of sailing remaining, if you have a MOB, large-ish bottle to donate, please bring to Kent Lake - or we'll start drawing straws to see who gets dumped for the MOB practices.

Reminder #1:  Paddles OUT when approaching the dock.  And be sure to command your crew  emphatically between the need to paddle forward or backward.   No excuses on this one.

Reminder #2:   Secure the boat covers with the hooks facing up.   I know it seems like an unnecessary request, but when you do so, it minimizes scratches.  Don't know about you, but I prefer that my 1/232nd * ownership of the Interlakes look as spiffy as possible. 

(* based on the August, 2011, Directory number of members.)

Level 3/4 class for 2012 - - Bill Lane

Level 2 sailors, it is not to early to be think of joining the level 3/4 class for 2012

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, Benjamin Islands 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:

Have a Level 2 sail pass and work hours current.

Sail the Level 2 keel boats 8 times this year of which 4 or more of the sails you were the captain.

Contact Bill Lane, for details

248-891-6125

Email: wjl6355@gmail.com

A cautionary article: Lake St Clair can be dangerous! - - Bob Brim

Bob Brim sends this link to remind us that Lake St Clair can be dangerous! A must read!

Go to this link: http://www.windsorstar.com - and look for the story of the woman who capsized in six foot waves! ( editors note: I couldn't paste the entire link here because it fouls up the newsletter formatting. But be sure to read the story. It's worth looking for.)

Here's information you need to get your Leve 1 rating - - JoAnne McClure

1. You have 2 seasons to do it, so if you took your class in 2010, you must get rated this year. The one exception to this is people who took the class in September. They must be rated by 2012. If you do not, you will have to re-enroll in the Level 1 class.

2. After you have completed all your classes (including the Maintenance Class), and can perform all the maneuvers on the water test form (practice, practice, practice), contact one of the Water Test Instructors:

• Yasuo Fujita
• Don Anderson
• Sam Olive
• Bob Frank
• Bill Lane
• Tom Sand
• Mike Perrin
• Marlin Ristenbatt

Make an appointment to take your test. Bring your water test form and get it signed when you have completed the test successfully.

3. Next, study your book and handouts for the written test. When you're ready to take it, contact one of the Written Test Instructors and make an appointment to take the test. BRING YOUR WATER TEST AND SAIL PASS WITH YOU TO THE WRITTEN TEST. Written Test Instructors are: 

• David Pardy
• Chris Lamb
• Nancy Weiss
• MaryJane Bacinski
• JoAnne McCLure
• Sam Olive
• Trudy Morse 

If you don't pass you must wait 2 weeks before retaking the test and you should study more, this time.

4. Sail as much as you can so you can mentor another sailor! Good luck!

John Tiley's photographs

You're aware that ASI's racers are known for their hot air. Some days, however, they have serious competition! 

When winds are light, that's when the balloons appear, usually drifting slowly, gently, easterly, from their launches in Brighton and Howell. 

Occasionally, a balloonist will 'touch down' then lift off again from Kent Lake. Who has 'right-of-way'? Just give 'em plenty of room! 

Thanks, John, for the great shots!

A few more things...       

Wisdom of the week: The force exerted on the bow of the boat in striking the dock is directly proportional to the square of the number of people on shore watching. 

The next Burgee will be Tuesday, September 27. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday for inclusion in that Burgee. But send pictures as attachments, please!