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the ASI Burgee - Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Annual Membership/Awards Dinner - - Don Sharpe

This is a time when we recognize members contributions to our program and also members advancement within ASI. It's also an opportunity to socialize and talk about the past year's exploits and discuss this years sailing adventures. Please join us and help start the 2012 Sailing Season.

 

The Annual Membership/Awards Dinner is January 21, 2012 at Bakers of Milford, 2025 South Milford Road, Milford, MI 48381 (across from the east entrance to Kensington Metro Park on Milford Road). The cost is $22 per person.

 

6 - 7pm Happy Hour (Cash Bar) with complementary vegetables/ & dip

 

7 - 8pm *Dinner Sliced Sirloin of Beef Au Jus, *Herb Roasted Chicken or *Vegetarian Dish

 

8 - ?pm  Membership/Awards presentation

 

*Please choose one of the above when making your reservation with our Sail Secretary, Lisa at 248-393-4280

---and now, for something completely different...GEOCACHING!  - - Gina Brim 

From Wikipedia: Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world.

 

Bob and I would like to work on setting up a geocache for ASI members. This should be a lot of fun but we need to know who is interested in participating. Also, we would like to know if there is anyone else interested in working on it.

 

All levels are invited to participate. Interested? email Gina (r.v.brim@prodigy.net)

 

Thanks.

Gina and Bob Brim

r.v.brim@prodigy.net

A new perk for 2012! - - Don Kapit

ASI is now enrolled in the Dunham's Sportsmen's Club Program.Enclosed with your 2012 sail pass will be a discount card for 10% off your purchases made at any Dunham's store. This program is completely free and a benefit to all ASI members.

The five nominees for the Second Annual FOG DOG AWARD - - Claire Zepeda

fog·dog (fôgˈdôgˌ, -dŏgˌ, fŏgˈ-) noun - a bright spot sometimes seen at the horizon as a fog starts to dissipate; A bright or clear spot that appears in breaking fog. Origin: From the fact that it accompanies fog as a dog accompanies its owner.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

 

Nominees for the 2011 FOG DOG AWARD are listed (alphabetically) below. Voting will take place via email: clairezepeda@gmail.com and of course is completely confidential. The winner will be announced at our January awards dinner.

 

Which of these worthy candiates best exemplifies our Fog Dog - a beacon, a shining light, making a unique and nautical contribution to ASI?

 

Heidi Dzendzel

 

I seriously recommend Heidi Dzendzel for this special award. During the summer months, she has taken the lead as manager of Stony Creek for 6 years now, and has made that program a great success. She is dedication in keeping the students focused on getting through the basics of shore and water classes all season long. The percentage of students becoming rated is over 50% for 4 years in a row. She works with the maintenance team to keep Stony Creek’s boats and equipment in top condition.

 

During the winter months, she assists with Level 2 and Level ¾ teaching manuals and materials getting them assembled, proofed and printed in time for March classes.

 

She assists with the web team designing artwork to post. She creates flyers each year for members to download and hand out to the public. She helps Lisa with forms and documents as needed. She is head of the Retention Committee, Mentor team at Stony, and is the Director of the Document Control Center.

 

Heidi should be recognized for her dedication to ASI.

 

Joe Jaeger

 

I would like to nominate Joe Jaeger. His spirit of contribution and his willingness to teach what he knows has touched me on numerous occasions. What strikes me most is his offering to share his knowledge, without being approached for it. Joe has contributed much of his time to help in essentially every aspect of the club: teaching those around him; maintaining the boats; and duties of governance. He is inspiring.

 

Trudy Morse

 

I nominate Trudy Morse. Level 1 written tester. Level 2 teaching, chart checking, and behind the scenes helping with educational materials. Level 4 boat manuals, chart checking, lottery, and behind the scenes helping with educational materials. BVI specialist!

 

John Tiley

 

I became aware of John's enthusiastic leadership effectiveness this past season with his honing in on our newest members. When I started joining in on the Tuesday group/practice sails around mid-season, my understanding was that he had become an integral, regular attendee, but that's just the scenario for what led to the following:

 

In getting to know students who were participating in the group sails, he started getting more interested as to how many students we had, how to help them get rated, how many we retained a 2nd year, what roadblocks were preventing rating and wanting them to feel more included in the Club. This triggered his initiative to get a list of students which he emailed to make contact/offer direction. When he found some were "feeling adrift," the emails really started flying as he became a leader in getting other rated members involved to plan for next season's greater outreach.

 

Meanwhile, as the group sailing days were winding down, came his suggestion, "let's have an end-of-season party!" What started out as something basic & simple with just the Tuesday practice group, evolved to include all the practice groups.... shortly becoming something ASI had never seen before as the whole Club was invited to a Fall celebration of our newest members. This past October, John, in his pirate wig & attire, having pulled together a goodie bag for each student in attendance, having also teamed up with the racers for an all-out regatta, absolved the students from having to "walk the plank" if only they vowed to give back to next year's students with mentoring or giving practice sails. (In the midst of the festivities, he was planting the seed for greater involvement.) Yes, others helped make that day the enjoyment it was, but it was John's idea & enthusiastic creativity which was pervasive throughout that successful event.

 

Finally, due to a growing realization that mentoring for the L1 rating may well be valuable on an official basis, and with knowing how he had spontaneously become the unofficial mentor lead, John, thankfully, agreed to officially take on the new position next season - that of L1 Mentor Coordinator....or, as he prefers, coach.

 

I believe John deserves this year's Fog Dog award as he tackled & addressed a problem often discussed in the Club - that of retaining members, especially our newest ones, to not only get rated, but to feel more a part of the Club. His actions this past season, along with the anticipation now that he's taken on the new position have & will put a spotlight on a core issue in the Club.

 

Jack Townsend

 

Jack Townsend’s contributions need no description. His dedication to maintenance, teaching, and his patience with us as students are without equal. He is a friend, and a fellow sailor, and an extraordinary teacher (in all aspects of sailing). He improves our organization in so many ways. He appears, to me, to be the most consummate sailor, and is so willing to share with us who are trying to learn.

 

Jack Townsend has spent uncountable hours repairing boats, running to the store for parts and teaching others at the same time that they may do the same as they progress. He is unrelentingly patient with all. When he is not repairing he can be seen teaching, sailing, encouraging and calm at the same time.

 

I would like to nominate Jack Townsend for the Fog Dog Award. There are many people in ASI that deserve an award because of their dedication to teaching sailing, maintaining our boats, and keeping ASI running as smooth as it does, so that makes it hard to choose just one person. I really feel that without Jack working on the keel boats, we wouldn't have a boat in Lake Saint Clair at all. Captains know, Jack is never too busy to answer questions, help you get a job done, or teach you why it is important to do something a certain way. Jack took it upon himself to drain and clean the fuel tanks on Interlude, Overture, and VIII, after Interlude was found to have sludge in the tank, causing her to stall. He plans on doing the same on Manitou this spring. I will tell you this was a very hard and time consuming job. He finished Interlude quickly to keep her in service which allowed timeshares to continue. Two of the keel boats had to have their muffler system fixed, which took them out of service also. Jack immediately took on the job and took the system apart, finding the problem and with the help of Gary Hintz got the boats running again. These were major jobs, critical to the safety of ASI members and club finances.

 

He instills confidence by teaching in the most pleasant manner. Jack is there by himself many times until late in the night finishing a job, to make sure it is ready for class the next day, even sleeping on the boat because he was working so late.

DRYA 2012 Winter Wednesday Seminar Series Overviews - - Mickey Bennett

Seminars start at 7PM  Go to www.drya.org for more information, updates, and potential winter weather changes

 

Seminar #1 Jan 4 SAILING PURE AND SOMETIMES SIMPLE

 

“Sailing, Pure and Sometimes Simple” is a selection of experiences that local sailors have enjoyed as they embrace this exciting and in some cases all-consuming sport. This first seminar of the 2012 series will feature four speakers:

 

- Barb Schmid and Charlie Todd were live-aboard cruisers on their 30-foot sailboat "Sayonara" in 17 countries over 11 years. You'll share the adventure of their first three years, from the whales of the St. Lawrence to the manatees in Florida; Maine, the Chesapeake, the Great Dismal Swamp, the Intra-Coastal Waterway; locks, tides and currents, peaceful anchorages and hurricanes.

 

- Stephen Hume, proprietor of Detroit Boat Works, and Susan McDonald, Archivist of the Crescent Sloop Class Association, are anxious to share their infatuation with this historic boat that was designed and built in Detroit and still has a spot in the Detroit racing community since its launching in 1953 as the first full-keel fiber glass boat in the world. The Crescent Sloop Class has competed in Detroit ever since and continues today with starts on Saturday and Tuesday race courses.

 

- Tim Metcalf, a USCG captain and Rear Commodore of The Doublehanded Sailing Association, asks: “Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sail an extended distance with only two, or maybe even one, person on the boat? Why would you want to do that in the first place?” This session will explore the answers to these and similar questions, with an emphasis on encouraging the audience to get out there and do it!

 

- Lindsey Vickers, a home grown sailor races on MSU’s Sailing Team. She will describe her experiences racing in dinghy competition around the country in both conference and intersectional regattas. MSU is in the Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association, comprised of thirty five colleges and universities.

 

As sailors, experience what it is all about! Please join us for this free seminar which will be hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, 788 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM on January 4, 2012. The restaurant will be open ahead of time, accepting credit cards only. Beverage service will be available. The Spinnaker restaurant will also be available before hand for dinner and snacks. Credit cards only, please. The formal dress code will be waived.

 

Seminar #2 Jan 11 MARKS & OBSTRUCTIONS RULES MADE EASY

 

Rule 18 (Mark-Room) of the Racing Rules of Sailing is the longest rule in the book. Many sailors think it is the most difficult as well. You’ll leave this seminar understanding rule 18 — all of it -— and its companions, rules 19 (Room to Pass an Obstruction) and 20 (Room to Tack at an Obstruction). This informative and entertaining seminar will be led by Ted Everingham, an International Judge, US SAILING-certified Umpire and Senior Judge and past chair of the US SAILING Judges Committee. Please join us for a joint DRYA and BYC event Wednesday, January 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Bayview Yacht Club, 100 Clairpointe, Detroit.

 

Seminar #3 Jan 18 ZEN AND THE ART OF ENGINE MAINTENANCE

 

Engine Expert Paul Lee will follow up last year’s educational and entertaining presentation with an emphasis on needing to understand the basics to enable you to effectively trouble shoot problems. Specific items to be discussed are: Understanding the cycles of an engine; Major components; Understanding the fuel system; Understanding the lube oil system; Understanding cooling and exhaust systems; Understanding the electrical system; The transmission; Engine to prop shaft alignment; Check lists/preventative maintenance system. Join us January 18th at 7 PM at Great Lakes Y. C., 23900 Jefferson in St. Clair Shores

 

Seminar #4 Jan 25 AN EVENING AT THE PLANETARIUM: MARS, LAKE HURON AND CELESTIAL NAVIGATION

 

This very special DRYA evening will be held in the recently upgraded, state-of-the-art, digital Wayne State University Planetarium. The planetarium uses a Spitz SciDome HD projector to provide a spectacular full dome experience for visitors. The group will be divided into two segments to see the special planetarium show, and to receive a primer on celestial navigation from members of the Power Squadron. Both will be presented twice.

 

The planetarium show will include a look at the dazzling winter night sky, along with currently visible planets and a number of spectacular winter nebulae. Visitors will enjoy the use of special diffraction glasses and be treated to a stunning multi-media presentation on Mars. This will be followed by a tailored presentation of what it's like to be sailing on Lake Huron to racing and recreational destinations and all of the magic and navigational information to be gleaned. The Power Squadron will provide a primer on sextants and practical celestial navigation. The planetarium presentation is hosted by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Wayne State and will be presented by Professor Jeff Conn.

 

This will be no charge for this evening, but "Wilson" will be passed and all donations will be accepted. The Planetarium is located on the lower level of Old Main (corner of Cass Avenue and W. Warren Avenue) near the main, Cass Avenue, entrance to the building. There is signage near entrances to help direct visitors to the planetarium. There is plenty of street and nearby (pay) lot parking. Please arrive on-time. Watch the DRYA website and Facebook page for further information. For general information see: http://planetarium.wayne.edu/about/index.php

 

Seminar #5 Feb 1 PREPARING FOR AN AWAY REGATTA … AND HOW THAT WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER RACER AT HOME

 

Racers with little travel experience and those who are champions, both home and away, will be able to learn important considerations in making one a confident and prepared champion. Com. Burton will also discuss the very important topic of two boat tuning, which for one-design sailors is the foundation of good boat speed. Also, DRYA C Course tips, along with the tactics to win a regatta in the final two races will be discussed. Bruce Burton is a Past Commodore of the Bayview Yacht Club, National and International Etchell’s Champion, frequent lecturer on sailing topics, and is newly-elected as a Director of U.S. Sailing. This presentation is a special joint DRYA and BYC Seminar at Bayview Y.C., 100 Clairpointe, Detroit.

 

 

Seminar #6 Feb 8 COMMON SAILING INJURIES AND A GLIMPSE AT THE FUTURE – TELEMEDICINE ON THE GREAT LAKES

 

Dr. Robert Welch, an avid sailor and forward looking emergency department physician from Wayne State University, plans on reviewing and up-dating the care of many common emergencies. But where is emergency care going? In the age of expanding communications the delivery of medical care is changing. Telemedicine is a reality but in its infancy. What are the futurists saying? What are the limitations? Join us on Wednesday, February 8 from 7-9 p.m. at the Tompkins Community Center,14900 Windmill Pointe Dr., Grosse Pointe Park, home of the Grosse Pointe Sail Club to hear the latest.

 

 

Seminar #7 Feb 15 DEMYSTIFYING RATINGS

 

De-Mystifying Rating Systems" will be presented by DRYA Chief Handicapper David Spiers and DRYA VC 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 rating systems. Professor Coleman will review the evolution of this concept 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 rating and how we address them to give fair handicaps and racing across the many types of yachts racing today. Questions are welcome! Comments are expected. The Detroit Yacht Club, on Belle Isle, will be our host 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

 

Please note:

No Seminar Wednesday Feb 22, 2012   Winter Break!

 

Seminars (8-12) resume Wednesday February 29, 2012.

 

Seminar #8 Feb 29 LOCAL WEATHER FOR LIBERAL ARTS MAJORS

 

Pat Healy will build on his presentation last year, “Weather for Poets” a non-technical explanation of why there is weather and why weather patterns look the way they do, with another non-technical explanation of why local weather does what it does. This year’s focus will discuss thunderstorms, lightning, lake breezes and review some of the best local weather sources.

 

Pat has served as head dinghy team coach at the Naval Academy. He was the Canadian National Sailing Coach leading the Canadians to five Olympic medals and twenty-two Pan American medals. In 1995 he ran the Louis Vuitton Cup for the America’s Cup competition. He has been the marketing director for the Commanders’ Weather Corporation, a private weather forecasting company supporting boats worldwide. Pat graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology. Join us on February 29, 2012, 7:00 PM at the Great Lakes Yacht Club. 23900 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores

 

Seminar #9 Mar 7 A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO REWIRING YOUR SAILBOAT

 

Com. Skip Gmeiner and sons Ron and Stephen will build on last year's popular presentation on wiring in a sailboat. This presentation will quickly review last year's topics (new battery-saving LED navigation lights; changes in ABYC wiring requirements; and new ways to charge auxiliary batteries). From there they will provide practical information for the do-it-yourselfer; how to effectively re-wire with modern innovations; dealing with 110 VAC and 12 VDC systems, and grounding. The Gmeiners are well versed in this topic area as their commercial venture, SPEMCO, is a large distributor of nautical switches, indicator lights, circuit breakers and many other electromechanical items. Join us March 7th at 7 PM at North Star Sail Club, 32041 South River Road, Harrison Twp.

 

Seminar #10 Mar 14 SAIL MAKING FROM START TO FINISH

 

Sailmaking from start to finish will be an exciting and informative evening as Al Declercq and his team of sailmakers at Doyle, Detroit, will host us at their Harrison Township loft and take the group through the entire process from designing the sail to cutting it and then through every assembly step.

Gluing the panels

Laminating the seams

Applying the corner reinforcements

Applying the load path fibers

Applying the Dacron corner reinforcements

Applying the edge tapes

Installing corner rings and finishing details

Measuring the completed sail.

They will have 10 sails partially completed so that they can be working on actual sails at each stage of production. Please join us from 7-9 p.m.at Doyle, Detroit, 24227 Sorrentino Court , Clinton Twp, MI 48035-3237 (586) 790-7500

 

Seminar #11 Mar 21 UNDERSTANDING AND IMPROVING YACHT RESISTANCE … AND WINNING MORE RACES

 

The focus of this presentation is to describe how hydrodynamic drag influences sailing-yacht performance. The hydrodynamic drag is conventionally broken into several components including wave, frictional, and induced drag. During the talk an overview of each of the components of resistance will be given with an emphasis on the relative importance of each component in different sailing conditions. This presentation will be by members of the University of Michigan's Naval Architecture Department including Professors Steven Ceccio, Robert Beck, Kevin Maki, and Armin Troesch. Among the faculty are several who are also seasoned sailboat racers as well as designers. Please join us March 21st at 7 PM at Ford Y. C., 29500 Southpointe Road, Grosse Ile.

 

Seminar #12 Mar 28 MODERN SAFETY AND SEARCH AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES AND RELATED ELECTRONICS

 

Coast Guard Lieutenant Justin Westmiller will speak on modern safety and search and rescue techniques including a review of how AIS impacts our safety on the water. He will address what to do when the helicopter is overhead and how to get the helicopter to come including transmitting calls for help using EPIRB and DSC.

 

Tim Metcalf will discuss Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and the familiar red “Distress” button. In order to take full advantage of this technology, boaters must ensure that their identity and location are available in the event of an emergency.

 

The discussion will led by Tim Metcalf, a USCG ¬licensed captain, experienced offshore sailor and racer, and the owner of a small business that sells, integrates and installs marine navigation electronics. Tim Metcalf is the Rear Commodore of the Double Handed Sailing Association. He has accumulated almost 13,000 offshore sailing miles.

Please join us March 28th at Port Huron Y. C., 212 Quay St., Port Huron

 

New L1 skippers: get into racing next season - - Michael Golden

Racing is a fun way for new or experienced skippers to refine their sailing skills. One learns sailing by doing it; 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.

 

New racers must attend the basic seminar in April and a practice, to skipper in the early races, when you are ready. There is no racing fee for newly rated Level 1 members from this last season. To sign up, reply with your name, rating, and years of sailing/racing experience to Michael Golden 248-549-3030.

Attention all Keelboat sailor 'wannabees' - - Bill Lane

The ASI Sail Secretary is pre-registering students for the 2012 Level 2 Keel Boat Class. The cost is $50 which will be a part of your final class fee. To register, send me your sailing/boating resume - call or email me and I'll send you the form. See the qualifications for the class in article below.

 

Any questions or concerns call 248-891-6125 or email me.

 

Bill Lane 

Level 2 Head Instructor

 

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

Prerequisites 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

Attention Level 2 Sailors  - - Bill Lane

The ASI Sail Secretary is pre-registering students for the 2012 Level 3/4 Class (cost $50). If interested send me your updated resume - call or email me and I'll send you the form.

 

Keep in mind that to pre-register you must have completed 8 sails on the Level 2 boats as a Level 2 sailor. For four of the sails or greater you must have been captain of the boat. I recommend pre-registering as this class filled up last season.

 

See article below for description of the course. 

 

Bill Lane 

Level 3/4 Head Instructor

 

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

Prerequisites 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 few more things...       

Have you noticed how much LONGER the days are getting? Neither have I, but Dave Rexroth and Chuck Gaidica can't both be wrong! We should be putting our boats back in the water in about 115 days or so. Think Spring! 

--------------------

Are you going to the 'Strictly Sail' boat show in Chicago this January? Unni Unnikrishan writes:

 

As a former ASI member now living in the Chicago area, I would like to offer zero-cost accommodation to current members during their annual pilgrimage to Strictly Sail this January. Please contact me if interested; I live only a block away from the Metro stop.

 

My Address: 516 Hamilton Street, Evanston, IL 60202

My Phone: 734-389-9567; E-mail: k.p.unnikrishnan@gmail.com

----------------------

A New Year is now upon us! The Burgee staff wishes you and yours all the very best for 2012!

 

Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net for inclusion in the next  Burgee, whenever that might be. But send pictures as attachments, please!

ASI • PO Box 210250 • Auburn Hills, Michigan 48321-0250
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