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Eat, meet, play! Joan Swain |
Admittedly, Kensington does not have the allure of Italy, India nor Bali, but with perfect temperatures, a steady breeze, enough folks organizing the food and event, and with all who attended, the annual ASI picnic was a true success.
Eat.......Not only did Marilyn Alimpich, Judy Martens (and crew) do their usual burger and doggie planning and preparation (opening up the Park, schlepping numerous items, claiming the area, starting the hot coals long before many of us had finished breakfast and timing the cooking perfectly), but the delicious array of foods contributed by those of you who attended was magnificent and a true adventure in grazing the varied buffet. Eating was an enjoyable part of the day.
Meet.....It was good seeing some faces for the first time this season, chatting with others who are usually on the keel boats, and meeting up with former and new sail mates from this and seasons past. For while the food pleased the palate, meeting with you pleased the spirit.
Play......mostly by sailing, in this case (though Don Caley's 2 Shelties were an extra bonus, especially for the youngsters). Sherri Gregory had planned the afternoon sail fun, where all who wanted to (I hope), were able to get on one of the several boats that entertained those of us already on the Lake with their synchronized sailing. Already on a boat further west of most of the maneuvers, we were treated to a truly graceful and impressive display of excellent helmsman-ship as you seemed to dance on the water. Later seeing Michael Golden with a whistle hanging on his gear, he confirmed that he was the 'conductor' of the maneuvers. Playing is truly good for the heart.
Though none of the picnic planning fell into my lap, I hope that all who planned and contributed know how much your effort and presence was appreciated by those of us who attended the annual ASI - eat, meet & play - picnic.
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Team Ireland landed the Kent Cup last Saturday!
 Kent Cup First place novice Chris O'Reilly is presented a pewter vase by Michael Golden, race instructor. Marilyn Alimpich, picnic coordinator/florist, and Joe Jaeger, race chairman appreciate the efforts of all to make Saturday a festive regatta.
For an encore, Chris O'Rilley, Diana Jaeger, and Michael Golden demonstrated the finer points of the Irish Jig!
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Evening sails at Kensington - - Don Caley |
You know about Wet n' Wild Wednesdays at Kensington Metropark - Bob Dallos and John Johnston are on deck, to get you matched up with a crew, if you're rated - or with a skipper, if you're not. Then you'll get a little help from them at the outer dock when you're ready to take off, and return after your sail.
And there's also Thundering Thursdays, same place, twenty four hours later, with Dave Amsdill and Don Caley to assist.
Attendance on Thursdays is improving- but still too low a skipper/student ratio. Last Thursday, the weather was absolutely perfect, with 12 knot westerly winds. We've got the same thing scheduled for this Thursday! |
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Row, row, row your boat... - - Maintenance Millie |
Millie thought she'd give you a break from what gets filtered to her, but she couldn't get this children's song out of her head. Maybe it's because it was reported that Mitch Miller, the band and song leader, died recently. Who knows.
If you don't know the song from your childhood, here's how it goes: "Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream." Remember that tune? When I couldn't eject it from my head, I realized that since it was somewhat inspired with what hopefully goes on when docking, I had to pass it on. Could this children's song, with a change in lyrics, yet 'sung' to the same tune, help us all to remember what often gets 'coached' from shore? Try it out. All together now:
"Paddles, paddles, paddles out, as I come in to dock,
Backward or forward, whatever I need,
I'll be a cool, sailin' jock."
WOW! That sounded great! Now, let's try it in rounds......Oh, that's asking too much? OK. Just keep those paddles in mind, for your crew to have them in hand, and Millie promises.....no more children's songs.
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LISAGRAM - - things your sail Secretary wants you to know! |
The office will not re-open until 8am on Monday, August 16. If during that time you need immediate assistance, please contact the following members directly:
Thank you for your patience and understanding while I'm away on vacation.
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2011 Keelboat classes - - Bill Lane |
Level 2 Class 2011
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:
- Declare sailing ability by submitting a sailing resume to head of Level 2 instruction.
- Be an ASI member and Level 1 Sail Pass holder with all volunteer hours up to date.
- 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 details248-891-6125Email: 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
Enter beautiful coves such as: Cover Portage Cove, 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.co |
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ASI Racing - Notice of race - - Casilda de Benito |
RACE: Team Race
WHEN: Saturday, August 14 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: Kent Lake
Race Committee (RC) TBD - arrives at 8:30 a.m.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: Lessons learned
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Sailboat brakes 101 - - Richard Jager |
Can you name 3 ways to slowdown, de-power, or stop a car?
- Drive it into the lake
- Drive it into deep mud
- Drive it into a concrete wall
How about a sailboat? Can you name 3 ways to slowdown, de-power, or stop a sail boat?
- Capsize
- Stick the center board into the sand or mud
- Sail into the dock
How much water do you need in the boat to really slow it down? What do you do with all the water once you are going slow enough? It seems like a lot of work just to slow the boat down. Is a soft bottom, when you drop the center board? Is the water is shallow enough to get it stuck really good? How many times can I sail or bang into the dock and still have a boat left to sail?
These all sound like ways to accomplish the task. However, while all of these will stop the car or boat, most of them are extreme for experienced drivers or sailors.
So how do you stop a sail boat? Some less extreme ways to slow down a sailboat:
- Head up
- let out the sails
- go into irons
- back paddle
While watching Kensington’s boats in action, we could film “Kensington’s funniest sailing videos”. Maybe a future reality show?
In my short time sailing I’ve seen or experienced people putting the rail under so water runs in, dropping the center board, and sailing into the dock. So for both new, experienced and those who have forgotten more then I may never know about sailing, ask yourself 'do you really know how to slow down or stop a sail boat?' Are your skills sharp enough that, if we put a glass mirror on the bow and sides of the boat it would still be intact when the boat goes back into the slip?
Grand Prix drivers can drive cars better then most of us, but when it comes to stopping or slowing down, none of them choose to drive into the river, the field, or hit the wall. In fact they try to avoid hitting anything at all! In most cases that will take them out of the race. To protect your boat (yes, it's YOUR boat!) think about how you plan on stopping the boat without cracking the mirror. |
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Dock Masters Needed - - Anne Ostroth |
Attention all rated sailors! Dock Masters are needed at Kent Lake every Saturday, Sunday and holiday for the entire sailing season.
It’s a great way to get work hours, meet new people, and earn the appreciation of the level one instructors. There are two shifts per day, AM (9 am -1 pm) and PM (1 pm – 5 pm). If you would like to sign up for some shifts or have questions, email Anne. |
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Do you have a piece of sailing equipment to sell or trade? Are you looking for something nautical? Send your text and pictures to me and I'll post them here:
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 FOR SALE $125 Auto/manual inflatable PFD type 5 Model 38 AHAR with harness (color blue). Has been tested by orally inflating and leaving inflated for 24 hours. CO2 cartridge visually inspected and then tested by weight. New bobbin dated May 2010
Includes the kit to convert from auto to manual only mode
Condition is excellent, although it is used, it has never been in the water and looks new. Can be inspected by contacting Richard Jagers
sail@livelovelaughtv.com or (248) 767-6203
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How does 'crew and skipper matchup' work? Maybe you've put together a cruise, taking one of our keelboats for a few days, or even a few hours. But you're in need of another crew member or two. Maybe you've got a North Channel charter and need another crew member. Or maybe you're interested in crewing, but don't have a 'skipper' to sign on with. And Interlake sailors too; perhaps you'd like to set up a sail with another ASI sailor. Newbie or old salt, here's a way to find a skipper or fill out a crew.
If you're a skipper in need of crew, send me the particulars of your sail; the date, other members, destination, etc. Or if you are looking to crew for somebody else, send me possible dates, places, times, etc. I'll post responses here, and you can get in touch with a potential crewmember, or potential skipper. Be sure to include phone number and email address.
Let's see if we can match everybody up, to make sure we take full advantage of this upcoming sailing season!
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- I am a Level 2, and I would be available to be crew in the evenings during the week, and Saturday/Sunday day. Please contact me at 734-787-7903 or at amazinggrace359@yahoo.com
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- I am newly rated Level 1 sailor and I am looking to do some sailing this week. I will be taking Wednesday off and would like to find someone to sail with. I will be available from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. If interested please call my cell 248-464-9069. Ivan Roman
- I'm available for practice sails most Tuesdays in August at Kensington from 10AM-early or mid afternoon. Call Joan Swain at 248-644-7857 or email jkswain36@att.net
- Jennifer and Mithat (husband-wife pair) -- current Level 1 students looking for practice sail opportunities on Kent Lake anytime we can get them. Now until Sept., we are both generally available almost anytime EXCEPT Mon & Wed daytime. Please email or call if you’d be willing to take us out. Ward-batts@wayne.edu 248-930-1169
- I'm busy Mon. and Wed. mornings but available most other days if someone needs a crew member for a keel boat. I recently got my L2 rating. Steve Wyborski
- My name is Suzanne Moore. I am an experienced Flying Scot sailor (7 years; 5 as crew, 2 as skipper) who has recently joined ASI. I am interested in crewing for anyone who may need crew. If I don't have to complete classes before I could skipper (with an experienced member perhaps?) that would be great too. Reply to Suzanne. My email address is sbenlouc@med.umich.edu
- I am a level 1 member looking to crew to gain experience. Weekdays are best, some weekends available. Call Chris, 248-245-4433 or email me at chris@retrosoftware.net. Cheers! Best Regards,Christopher G. O'Reilly
- We need a First Mate for a Sunday sail with my family… please call or email! Rick Cortright, 248-333-3300 cell: 248-722-3407
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- Nautical Deli has offered a free drink when you buy a full sandwich or a "soup and sandwich" to ASI members for the 2010 sailing season. It is located at 23839 Jefferson Ave, St. Clair Shores, MI, just north of 9 Mile Road. You must show your ASI membership card.
- The entire Race Calendar is posted in the Racing section of the ASI website.
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Keelboat timeshares for 2010 - - Jon Buyle |
Timeshares continue to be accepted for the 2010 season. Here are a few reminders to make the process work best for all of us:
 Please limit your calls to 9AM-9PM, unless it’s an emergency. Feel free to email me anytime. - 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 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.
- 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.
- Be sure to notify the Boat Captain and Keelboat Scheduler if a boat needs immediate attention that could affect safety & future timeshares.
- 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.
- 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!)
- 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.
For the new Level 2 Captains, remember that you cannot reserve a boat until you have passed all requirements, notified Lisa and paid for your upgrade. Have a great summer and great sailing season! Hope to see all of you out on the lake.
Jon Buyle, Keelboat Scheduler 313-881-6393 jmb51@hotmail.com |
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10 AM Day sailors - Sailing Monday to Friday - - Vic Macks |
JOIN THE FUN! Captain or crew with the 10 am Day Sailors one or more week days, Monday to Friday
For Lake St. Clair, must be level 2 or above for Overture and Interlude and Level 3/4 for Voyager and Manitou. For Kent and Stony Creek, must be Level 1 or above. Respond to Vic Macks at vicmacks3@gmail.com giving name, rate, preferred email address and phone, which week days, Monday through Friday, that you are typically available, and interest in sailing which lake.
 Here's how it works: I will send the recurrently updated list to all participants. We would perhaps sail once or twice per week as you wish. We can look ahead 1 to 2 or 3 days, see what the weather is and choose the better day. Day time week days boats are least used and available on short notice. Any member of the 10 AM DAY SAILERS could email (or phone) others who are listed as typically available on a given day and get a member's commitment to sail. A Lake St. Clair sail, of course, means that the first commitment of a crew member is necessary (a phone call response might be quicker) before the initiating captain books the time share with a call to Jon Buyle (which also may involve a delay waiting for a response from Jon). All crew who commit to sail a Lake St. Clair boat commit, of course, to share the time share fee.
When a member of the 10 AM DAY SAILERS expects to be away or otherwise unavailable for a period of time, they can inform me with an email. I will email an updated list as the need arises. That way, everyone is current on who's available for crew. For Lake St. Clair, we will stay on the U.S. side of the shipping channel, so an I-68 or Nexus isn't necessary, but adequate identification would be asked for on the U.S. side if stopped by Home Land Security or Coast Guard, which has happened. We will keep it simple, but can change the way we work if there are kinks in the plan. Questions?
See you on the dock, Vic |
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The ASI Burgee is back on an 'every Tuesday' schedule. The next one will be Tuesday, August 17. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday August 8. |
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