Missing Keelboat cushions! - - Patrick MacArthur

Two seat cushions are missing from our keelboat Manitou. Two seat cushions were take by a member over the winter to get the fabric stitching repaired. It is thought that the person taking these two cushions was a female member. Please view the photo of the cushions to help jog your memory.  They have a blue velvet fabric. If you have any clues as to who may have the ability to repair the cushions that may help us track them down.

It is important to get these cushion back as it will be very costly to replace and impossible to match the fabric. Please call Patrick MacArthur at 734-664-6706 or Tom R. Baker at 313-319-2681Thanks

Sharing the Sailing Experience - - Joan Swain, L1 Mgr

Last year, ASI exchanged some (Interlake) sailing time with another club.  This year, another member expressed interest in doing the same with his former club.   Sharing our boats with other sailing clubs is one way to expand the joys of sailing, and while there are a few steps to go through to make that happen - noted below -  it's all quite do-able. 

Now, in years prior to last, ASI use to occasionally offer sailing opportunities to boys and girls who belonged to scouts, or who came from circumstances that didn't usually offer sailing opportunities.  These types of situations may not seem as feasible, but they too have been accomplished and can be successful when enough ASIers step up to help out.

So, just thought I'd let our newer members know, and perhaps remind more seasoned members that IF you belong to, or have access to a scouting group, Big Sister/Brother group, etc., or even an adult group (veterans come to mind) that you think may enjoy some time on the water - or yes, another sail club - follow a few simple steps to start the process:

• present your idea to the Operations Team meetings
• if it's OK'd, connect with the Board - possibly via emails - as to specifics: type of group, the date(s) you're aiming for, numbers anticipated, etc.
• if that's approved, post the event in the Burgee, not only to alert others to boat use but to get assistance from rated members 

As our non-profit status states that we reach out to the community, let's reach out.

Tuesday Day Sails - - Susanne Guendelsberger

For those interested, Susanne Guendelsberger will be coordinating day sails at Kensington on Tuesdays. This is not meant to replace any other sails but meets the philosophy of 'the more sailing the better'. Here is how it works.:

1. Send Susanne a quick note  (skastberg@yahoo.com) saying you're interested, so she can add you to the email list.
2. Susanne will check the weather and send out a note to those interested, probably by the Sunday before the Tuesday sail confirming the sail.
3. Those who can make it on the Tuesday, reply back to Susanne that they will make it and whether they are rated or not. This should allow Susanne to make sure that we have enough rated sailors for the number of students/guests.
4. We all meet at the lake at 10:30 and sail until about 1:00 or until people wear out.
5. Those coming to these sails are welcome to do practice sails, just tool around the lake or anything that they and their shipmates want to do. The more the merrier so rated sailors, sail students and guests are always welcome and encouraged!

If you are a rated sailor and you take a student(s) out on a Practice Sail on these Tuesdays, it should be good for 2 work hours.

On a related note, Laura Miele (a level 2) is available Tuesday mornings for L1 sails but needs to be off the lake by about 12:00. If anyone is interested in getting to Kent Lake earlier, say 8:30 or 9:30, she would be available to take them out on practice sails. Let her know if interested at mieledvm@aol.com or 404-518-1858 (cell).

TESTING OPPORTUNITY: Susanne is taking over coordinating Tuesday sails from David Pardy (dspardy@pardysell.com) making it possible for him to concentrate on testing new L1's and other commitments. David can administer tests at our Tuesday sails so let him know if you want to test so he can be ready. David expects to be at most Tuesday sails. LET'S SAIL!

Stony Creek Maintenance Nights - - Richard Gady and Heidi Dzendzel

Mark your calendar for the following Mondays - July 9, August 6 and September 10 starting at 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

This is a good time to get a few volunteer hours, clean up the fleet and

complete some repair items.

Remember to fill in the maintenance log located in the sign-in booklet with

any repair or improvement idea. I will send out a list of items we can work

on together. (Park your car in the main parking lot and walk to the Boat

Storage).

This is a great time to learn and meet other sail club members.

(Remember for the new students, maintenance class is only held at Kent Lake)

Your help would be most appreciated! Richard Gady (gady70@gmail.com)

When it comes to docking we're missing the boat! - - John Tiley

We need a new image. Some of us think we are flying a Jet and landing on a carrier, we hope we can hook the cable and stop. Some of us are driving a car at 30 mph into the parking lot thinking I'll jamb on the brakes just short of hitting the lamp post. Some do it just right, like a shopping cart, we give it a gentle push towards the cart carrel, only to have it turn and become a run away shopping cart to find the only car door in the lot for 120 feet around, slamming the door for thousands in damage.

We need a new image. We are not a jet, a car, or shopping cart, we are a sail boat. How about this; we enter the docking area slowly, we de-power the main and fly the jib, we come fully into irons, and we BACK PADDLE to a stop, a DEAD STOP.

We dont jump up to throw the painter, we dont drop a paddle to throw the painter, the painter will never stop you from hitting the dock, NEVER WILL STOP YOU. stop rushing to throw the painter.

Learn how to stop, throw the anchor, throw small children (just kidding), jump over board and grab the rudder, attach a bungee to the pile behind you (just never drop the center board!)....but stop.

We need a new image. How about this; imagine a line 5 foot to 10 feet out all around the dock. We have THE GOAL to stop in thAT area and paddle slowly up to the dock. Kissing it, like a hot date. We dont rush to throw the painter. If our paddles or the dock masters hook cant control the boat....your out of control....try again. And hey the boat comes with a unique tool ......yes a rudder ! Use it to turn the boat hard around instead of shopping cart the dock.

Better image? Yes.

When at the next docking practice class you see the racing buoy 5 feet out from the dock...your image will be..."dead stop here". right.

We really dont want the dock master giving out real tickets for real money if we speed past the 5 foot mark, we really dont want to be handed a "go to jail" ticket if we hit the dock. It could happen.

We have a new image! Go forth now, with a new image, enjoy the entire sailing experience, we dock like a sailboat, not a jet, not a car, not a shopping cart!

Point person(s) needed - - Don Sharpe

We're looking for a volunteer or volunteers to organize and promote an Open House at Kent Lake this year.  The organizational part of the project involves arranging a date that doesn't conflict with other scheduled ASI events and having qualified crews and dock personal at the Open House.  The promotional part of the project is to advertise the event via local news media.  Please contact Don Sharpe if you have any questions or interest at 248-210-1156.

Don 

Four Letter Words - - Bob Dallos

Some are nice...Lake, Good, Wind, and Sail, others are not so nice...Jobs, Late, Hour, Road, and Work.  

Regardless of which words you choose, Wet 'n' Wild Wednesdays are making a come back.  Starting June 27th, John Johnston and I will be at the Kent Lake East Boat Launch (you know that place where all our boats are in the water) at 6:00 pm to get things started.  

For those new to ASI, here is an opportunity to just show up at the lake, get paired up with a rated sailor and practice sail, kibitz, and enjoy the night.  No need to call, or set up appointments, what could be easier.  If you are already a rated sailor, here is an opportunity to show off a bit, and get in some of your volunteer hours, while sharing your love of sailing.See you at the lake.

Add August 4 (5?) to your calendar!

Don't miss the the Annual ASI Picnic and Membership Meeting August 4th (rain date August 5th).  Members should bring a dish to pass.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, veggieburgers, condiments, refreshments, plates and dinnerware will be provided by ASI.  

Testing Procedures for Level 1 Rating - - JoAnne McClure

If you have completed all your classes and practice and are ready for your water test, here is a list of Water Test Instructors. Contact them to set up an appointment to take your water test.

Water Test Instructors:

• David Pardy
• Bob Frank
• Mike Perrin
• Don Anderson
• Sam Olive
• Yasuo Fujita
• Bill Lane

If you have passed your water test and taken the Maintenance Class, study your book, handouts, ASI Policy Manual, and class notes and contact a Written test instructor from the list below. Bring along your completed water test form and sail pass when you take the test.

Written Test Instructors:

• JoAnne McClure
• Nancy Weiss
• Sam Olive
• Chris Lamb
• Heidi Dzendzel
• Dave Pardy

Questions?Contact JoAnne McClure. Good Luck!

Reminders from the Keelboat Scheduler - - Jon Buyle

The sailing season is upon us and timeshare reservations can now be made. I need any priority scheduling events, such as maintenance, instruction, evening sails, or special events sent to me so that I can get them in the scheduling calendar. Please provide this information as soon as possible so that your event is secured and timeshares don’t have to be cancelled.

Here are a few reminders for keelboat captains in order 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 timeshare hours and 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.

A special welcome to all the new Level 2 Captains. Have a great summer and great sailing season! Hope to see all of you out on the lake.

Jon Buyle, Keelboat Scheduler (jmb51@hotmail.com)

313-881-6393

And now for something completely different: 'WATER' colors? - - Deb Broomham

I'm Deb Broomham, a new sailor and art teacher. I talked with  a few people this winter about offering some art playing-mild instruction  this summer.. maybe after a sail? just checking to see if anyone is interested? Pastels, pencil and watercolor I can assist with ( I'm not an oil person but you can try it!). we could sit by the bay and play!

Once I get a feel for the day or time I can figure it out. Not sure you would feel like it after the Tuesday practice or maybe some night? I race, so those times after this practice (Sun) are out. and I bike on Wednesdays, so give me some feedback. Photography? Crochet by the bay? Jewelry/beads? Card making? Have fun! If we get anything exciting we could display at the Fall banquet!

This would be very low key, and I can offer some suggestions. Send me your thoughts! (kaczara13@yahoo.com)

Fledgling L2s seek mentoring - - Joan Swain

This is a request for any L2-4 sailors ready and willing to take on the newest batch of L2s. There's a handful of us currently updated to L2 and we're ready to timeshare Interlude or Overture.  However, as some of us feel the need to practice with seasoned predecessors, would welcome either direct contact, or put your own blurb in Burgee for available times/days you're willing to mentor.   If you want to email me re your availability jkswain36@att.net, be assured I'll share the welcomed news with the rest.  Thank you. 

10 AM Weekday Sailors - -  Vic Macks

This is a list of rated sailors sailing daytime weekdays. Anyone on the list can initiate a sail at his/her rated level by email/phone call to anyone on the list. For example, you can look ahead one to three days, check the weather, decide on a day, and call/email those on the list for crew. This could be on Interlakes or keelboats, depending on your rating and interest and the interests of those on the list. It's that simple. The list may contain rated sailors interested in Kent, Stoney, or Lake St. Clair. Of course, a rated keelboat sailor initiating a sail on a keelboat is obligated to have at least one sailor aboard who is rated at level 11, level III, level IV or equivalent. The time share fee for keelboats would be split among the number aboard.

Send me an email (vicmacks3@gmail.com) with the following:

-Name and rating

-email address and phone number(s)

-likely days available

-preferences (Kent, Stony Creek, or Lake St. Clair)

I will email an updated list as often as there are changes, additions, etc. Remember, sails will be initiated by anyone on the list. All that's needed is you on the list. Questions? Send an email or call me at 586-779-1782.

Dock Masters Needed - - Anne Ostroth

Dock Masters (DMs) are needed every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday throughout the sailing season.  This is especially true on Level 1 class days (see calendar).  It is a great way to earn work hours and meet other sailors. Anyone with a sail pass (student - Level 4) is encouraged to sign-up.  There are four shifts per day:  9-11 AM, 11-1 PM, 1-3 PM, and 3-5 PM.  You can sign up for any number of shifts per day. And now we also have dock master shifts available on Tuesdays starting June 19 from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. 

DM duties are described in the notebook labeled "Dock Master" on the front and located in the DM box.   This notebook contains the DM badge ( so others will know you are the designated DM) and other helpful information.  The DM box also contains the boat hook and other supplies.  I recommend that unrated sailors choose DM shifts on Sat. mornings so that someone from the maintenance team can open the DM box for you. Please email me at aostr2@yahoo.com to sign up and assist your fellow sailors.

A few more things...       

Words to live by:

If it isn't on the first page of Google search results it does not exist.

If you're going to run a red light, make sure that the car in front of you has the same intent.

Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net for inclusion in the next  Burgee. They're on a weekly schedule. Send in your stuff for publication by Sunday for inclusion the following Tuesday. Sail hearty!