Norm Schmidt and Vince Scanio stepping down from Level 4 management - - Trudy Morse

Kudos to Norm Schmidt and VInce Scanio for being Level 4 Managers for 6 years! They are retiring this year and it is a great time to acknowledge all their accomplishments and their continued efforts to make the Level 4 program a success. To my knowledge, no one has served even half this long as Level 4 Managers!

There are many behind-the-scenes responsibilities and challenges for a Level 4 Manager. Here are just a few:

They were responsible for eliminating open slots for summer timeshares. Sometimes this has been done with workshops. Another, which has been quite a challenge some years, is finding L4 sailors for the transfer trips to bring ASI boats home. They have received calls from L4 sailors experiencing boat breakdowns.

For the past 6 years, the lotteries held in February have been planned and executed successfully with some improvements such as preliminary lists, making the process less cumbersome and easier to administer. There has also been more flexibility in interactions at the lottery which has resulted in positive outcomes for everyone.

More recently the rules document has been improved to assure all L4 sailors know what is required of them when taking a timeshare, while providing information which may have been previously unknown, especially to new L4 sailors. Improvements have been made to some L4 forms, including the float plan and the liability form. We wish them continued success in all their endeavors with ASI.

the Second Reef – News and Information for and about ASI’s Level 2 Sailors - - Jack Townsend

Know UR Boats – Were you able to wade through all the boat check information last week? I know it was a lot of information but I hope it gave you a better understanding of the engine checks and why we need do them. 

Bilge Pumps – Both Interlude and Overture are equipped with a manual diaphragm pump and a Rule 2000 GPH electric pump. Both boats have the same manual pump so let’s start there. The pump is located on the starboard side of the helmsman’s seat; it’s a thru-deck unit so you only see the pump handle port, the rest of the pump is below deck. Most boat manufacturers feel this is the ideal location for the pump. Evidently they feel if a boat is taking on water the helmsman can pump the water out and steer the boat at the same time. You have two hands right? The only problem is, to achieve the pump’s rating of 17 gallons per minute you have to pump it at 60 strokes per minute, that’s a stroke a second. That’s faster than I breathe, of course after 3 minutes or so I will be taking a breath a second and pumping at speedy 2 strokes a minute. Theoretically, if I can pump at 60 strokes per minute giving me 17 gallons a minute, I can pump 1,020 gallons an hour. Sounds good? Well, a 1” hole, 3 feet below the water line can let in close to 30 gallons per minute or 1,800 gallons per hour. Now wasn’t there a saying back in the 1950’s (I am too young to recall), ‘Live Better Electrically”? 

Before you test any manual and/or electrical bilge pump please remember to lift the bilge board and look in the bilge. If there is oil or fuel in the bilge, even a small amount, Do Not pump it out. This oily water must be pumped to a container and disposed of in the oil reclamation center. Since this is so important I will quote the Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats pamphlet (there is a copy on each L2 boat).

“Discharge of Oil Prohibited – The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste upon or into any navigable waters of the U.S. The prohibition includes any discharge which causes a film or discoloration of the surface of the water or causes sludge or emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to substantial civil and/or criminal sanctions including fines and imprisonment”. 

Both our boats are equipped with Rule 2000 submersible 12V electric bilge pumps, but this is where the similarity ends. Electric bilge pumps should be fitted with an internal or external float switch. Float switches are activated by the rising level of water in the bilge. As the switch’s “float lever” rises it closes a set of electrical contacts which energizes the pump. The pump pumps out the bilge water until the “float lever” drops back down, opening the contacts and de-energizing the pump. Overture has a float switch - Interlude does not.   

To test Overture’s electric pump, raise the bilge board and check for oily water then locate the float switch and push the red “Push to Test” button down. The pump will start up, once you know the pump works release the button. You do not test Overture’s pump by switching on the “Bilge Pump” switch at the main electric panel. If the float switch test button does not activate the pump then switch on the “Bilge Pump” switch at the main electrical panel, this switch overrides the float switch and the pump should start up. If it does then turn it off, lift the float lever up and down a few times and try the “Push to Test” button again. If it still does not work contact the Boat Captain. You will have to use the main electric panel override switch if the pump is needed. If neither the test button nor the override switch works you have now learned why there is always a manual bilge pump on a boat. Below is a picture of Overture’s red float switch test button.

Push to test – the red button at the bottom of the switch. 

There is however one little oddity to Overture’s setup. The discharge hose is piped to a starboard side thru-hull just above the waterline at amidships. Here is the problem, when the boat is on a deep port tack the thru-hull is underwater which allows water to flow back through the discharge hose and into the bilge. Not a problem if the pump kicks on, but how do you know it is on? The previous owner wired two bulkhead reading lights into the bilge pump circuit, when the pump comes on so do the “warning” lights.

I know, you thought the boat was haunted by a ghostly sailor. When these lights come on don’t turn them off at the light switch – they are your, and the next timeshare’s, warning signal – reduce your heel or enjoy the lights.

Light on – pump on – no ghost.

Interlude; the good news, the discharge hose is piped to the transom so you don’t have to worry about heeling or ghosts. Unfortunately Interlude does not have a float switch and to test the bilge pump you have to turn it on using the “Bilge Pump” switch at the main electric panel. This also means that if you take on water you have to switch the pump on yourself, you also have to notice that you are taking on water. This is not the best set-up and we are submitting a proposal to correct the situation. 

Until we can make the corrections to Overture and Interlude’s bilge pump systems you will need to operate them as described above. 

Always check the bilge before you use a bilge pump, manual or electric. As the old salts say; “the best bilge pump is a bucket in the hands of scared sailor”.

Racing awards! - - Michael Golden

Chris O'Reilly (right) is awarded the Borovick Trophy by Michael Golden at the Annual Awards banquet  last Saturday. Chris was the Novice Champion for 2010. He was followed up by Dave Wipula in second place and  Fred Trinker in third.  The heavy trophy is made from salvaged parts from a schooner steamer that sank in Lake Michigan in the storm of 1926. The trophy honors Daniel Borovik, past president and lead racer in the last century.

Stephen Poulus is awarded the Michael Golden trophy for first place in the Experienced rank of racers for 2010. The trophy is presented by Joe Jaeger, Race Chairman and VP of ASI.  Steve is general manager of the Interlake racers.  Following Steve around the course this season was Michael Golden in second place, and Gary Crosbie in third place.

Bill Lane, the 2011 Fog-Dog award wiinner!

What's a 'Fog Dog'? A Fog Dog is a bright spot, sometimes seen at the horizon, as a fog starts to dissipate. Origin: From the fact that it accompanies fog as a dog accompanies its owner.  

Bill Lane is the 2011 Fog Dog award winner!. He is the catalyst for the transition of so many.If it wasn't for him for the last 8 years, no one would reach level 2. And for the last two years, no one would reach level 3/4. 

 Like many of the “founding” members Bill wore many different hats during the early years of ASI, eventually finding his favorite hat, his passion; teaching others, not only how to sail but how to love sailing. Bill has given countless hours, days, and years in the pursuit educating and encouraging ASI sailors at all levels, whether they are new to the sport or old salts, they can always count on Bill for help or advice.

Bill is ASI’s Pied Piper, teaching the beginning L1 student, guiding them onto L2, encouraging them into L4, where he puts the finishing touches on their sailing education with a transfer trip to the North Channel.  Like the rest of us Bill puts away his sailing gear at the end of October but unlike most of us his new season starts in November. There are plans to be made for next season’s shore classes, revisions made to the classroom manuals, new information to be added, improvements to be made, proofreading the changes, classroom presenters and assistant instructors to be lined for spring classes. This is a big job and it takes many, many hours of off-season preparation, all those hours culminating in March when Bill steps to the podium, taps the keyboard and the first slide pops up on the screen, and 30 students settle in for their first step in becoming a keelboat sailor.

Sounds like a lot of work doesn’t it? Now double the effort. When Barb Carlson had to relocate to North Carolina, vacating the L3-4 instructor position, Bill stepped forward and filled the void. During most of March and April Bill is teaching two nights a week, arriving well before 6 p.m. and leaving well after 10 p.m., always willing to stay a little later to answer questions or help someone with a chart plotting problem. In May Bill sets aside the classroom materials and heads for the boats, where he puts on his L2 on-water instructor’s hat. As soon as the L2 on-water classes end Bill must prepare for the L4 transfer trip where he is the Lead Instructor.

By the end of June, when all of the keelboat classes have ended Bill can relax a little and just concentrate on teaching, mentoring, and testing out L1 students. As L1 wraps up toward the end of August it gives Bill some time to organize and prepare for his annual Labor Day Lake Erie Flotilla, a hugely successful week of sailing among the islands of Lake Erie, leading the entire ASI keelboat fleet. Fog Dog or Pied Piper, Bill has opened the door for countless ASI sailors, helping them turn their dream into reality. Sailing from the islands of the North Channel to the islands of Lake Erie, Bill leads the way, ASI’s guiding light.

pictures and videos needed! - - Craig Smith

Want to have some fun and help ASI get some great pictures and video’s for the website and other promotional ads?  We're updating the website, www.sailasi.org, and we need some pictures and videos of us sailing and having fun.

This spring we are planning a Photo Shoot on Lake St. Clair near Jefferson Beach Marina.  We will need sailors to skipper the 4 keelboats and 2 Interlakes and the power boat.  We will need camera crew and equipment.   JBM location will be the first photo event.  At a later date we will have a photo event at Kensington and then at Stony Creek.

So won’t you volunteer for this exciting adventure and who knows, maybe you will become a star on the ASI website.  You will certainly be a star in helping ASI. More information on date and time will available soon.

NEW Booty and Swag - - Dave Clark

ASI now has it's own store! Queensboro Shirt Company has set up our own store to sell their products. All profits will be sent to ASI on a weekly basis.We have new logo's and new products including both printed and embroidered items. Pay with your own credit card and have the item shipped whereever youwant.

Your polo, sweatshirt or jacket will sport NOT ONLY the cool ASI logo, but also your area of special interest - racing, instruction, maintenance, cruising!  

You will be dealing directly with the Queensboro company. I will no longer be the middleman! I really hope this is a big improvement for you and our club. Please give it a try.  Here's the website:

www.asibootyandswag.qbstores.com  

Put this link in your favorites and it willbe easy to find whenever you are ready. Save this phone number in case you needsome help with your purchase.  (1-800-847-4478 Queensboro Shirt Company).I hope to add even more logos soon.

Thanks, Dave

'Strictly Sail' boat show in Chicago - - Tom Baker

Anyone want to go to the Strictly Sail show at the Navy Pier in Chicago the weekend of January 27-30, 2011?

Norm Schmidt and I are going over on Thursday (Jan. 27) and returning Saturday (Jan. 29) on the Amtrak train leaving from Dearborn. We will be staying at the Doubletree Hotel near the Navy Pier.  (Cost per night is about $100.) It would be fun have a delegation from ASI at this event.  Seminars are interesting and there's always lots of boats to look at. Email Tom Baker or call him at 313-319-2681

ASI Logo sub-texts - - Dave Clark

I've been working with Queensboro, the supplier of our Booty and Swag merchandise (see above). As you know, all these clothing items can be ordered with the embroidered ASI logo.

There have been many requests for an additional line of text BELOW the logo, to show the particular activity within ASI that you're most involved with. Here's an example, showing 'Racing':

We're trying to determine just which activities should be made available, for instance:

• Maintenance crew
• Lake Erie 2011
• Manitou
• Voyager III
• Overture    
• Interlude

• North Channel Cruisers

• Interlake Racers

• Kent Lake Sailors (we have nothing for Kent lake except Kent Cup)

I want all the ideas we can get and then choose which ones work best. Send your suggestions to Dave Clark by clicking here.

A Gala Evening with Gary Jobson* - - 

Great Lakes Yacht Club presents: A Gala Evening with Gary Jobson* 

All proceeds to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Michigan Chapter 

• February 11, 2011 6:30-11:00 pm
• The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House1100 Lake Shore RoadGrosse Pointe Shores, MI
• Music by Brian Lang
• Tickets $35
• Limited Seating
• Complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar available.

NOTE: There are a limited number of tickets remaining and they are going fast. Don’t miss out – order early. Invite friends, family, crew.Go to http://mi.jobson.llsevent.org or CALL 800-456-5413. 

To order tickets, please call 800-456-5413 or online at http://mi.jobson.llsevent.org

*Curious about Gary Jobson? See the article directly below. 

Gary Jobson's background 

Gary has won many championships, including the America's Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the infamous 1979 Fastnet Race and many of the world's ocean races. In College at SUNY Maritime he was an All American sailor three times and was twice named College Sailor of the Year. He was sailing coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. He has won two EMMY Awards as sailing commentator for ESPN and PBS. 

Here's Gary Jobson's bio in Wikipedia:

Gary Jobson is a decorated sailor, television commentator, sailing lecturer, and author based in Annapolis, Maryland. He has recorded many achievements in his sailing career, having won multiple championships in one-design classes, the America's Cup with Ted Turner in 1977, the Fastnet Race, and many of the world's ocean races.

Jobson is also an active cruising sailor, having led expeditions to the Arctic, Antarctica and Cape Horn.In October 2003 Jobson was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame by the Herreshoff Marine Museum. In 1999 Jobson won the Nathanael Herreshoff Trophy, US SAILING's most prestigious award, and as of 2010 is the current president of US SAILING.[1]

Jobson is also the National Regatta Chairman of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's sailing program.Jobson has authored 15 books on sailing, and is Editor at Large of Sailing World and Cruising World magazines. In addition to his print work he has been ESPN's sailing commentator since 1985. He won an Ace Award for Cable Excellence for his coverage of the 1987 America's Cup.

In 1988 Jobson won an Emmy for his production of sailing at the Olympic Games in South Korea and also won an Emmy for the 2006 Volvo Ocean Race on PBS.In college Jobson was named an All-American sailor three times and was twice named College Sailor of the Year (1972, 1973).

He graduated with his Bachelors Degree and Third Mate's License (Unlimited Tonnage) from the State University of New York Maritime College in 1973. He began his career as a sailing coach at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.Jobson currently races an Etchells, owns a Sabre 402, Whirlwind and has a partnership in a NYYC Swan 42, Mustang.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is honored to have had Gary serve as national chairman of The Leukemia Cup Regatta since 1994. In 2003, after years of committed service on behalf of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Gary was diagnosed with lymphoma and, in his words, "became a beneficiary of the research advances I had helped support." He is now cancer-free.

the 2011 Detroit Regional Yacht-racing Association Winter Seminars

Here's a description of the 2011 DRYA Winter Seminar Series, scheduled for most Wednesdays in January, February, and March. All seminars are free (except for the CPR seminar with a nominal materials fee) and open to the public.

January 26, 2011:“Understanding Your Sailboat’s Electrical System”

Com. Skip Gmeiner and sons Ron and Steve will present an in-depth, but practical look at this sometimes vexing topic. The Gmeiners are well-versed in this topic area as their commercial venture, SPEMCO, is one the largest manufacturers of nautical switches and control panels in the world. Topic areas will include: 1. New Battery-Saving LED Navigation Lights 2. Changes in ABYC Wiring Requirements 3. New Tricks with Existing Wiring 4. New Ways to Charge Auxiliary Batteries  5. Trouble-shooting Ideas. This new offering to the series seminars will be held at the Bayview Yacht Club on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 from 7:00 -9:00 PM. Restaurant and beverage service will be available.

February 2, 2011:“Chartering”

Our fifth seminar is another of our new topics this year. It will be an in-depth coverage of chartering, for cruisers as well as racers. Hope Swift, a fellow sailor and owner of Swift Yacht Charters will bring her years of sailing and chartering experience to share with us.In this two-hour seminar she plans to: i.) Explain the function of an independent charter agent; ii.) Discuss chartering options including bareboating and obtaining the qualifications necessary for those new to chartering; iii.) Provisioning & otherconsiderations; iv.) Availability of captained and fully crewed charters including destinations, planning, and itineraries; and v.)Theme charters (e.g. Racing, Diving Healthy Living, and Honeymoon /Anniversary. We trust that you'll join us in the midst of winter while we dream of the joys of other seasons! The Detroit Yacht Club will be our hosts 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; the formal dress code has been waived..

February 9, 2011:“Weather for Poets”

Pat Healy served as head dinghy team coach at theNaval Academy from 1976 until 1981 and then again from 1998 until 2002.In between he was the Canadian National Sailing Coach leading the Canadians to win five Olympic medals and twenty-two Pan American medals. After leaving Canada, Pat ran the Louis Vuitton Cup for the1995 AMERICA’S CUP. He has been the marketing director for theCommanders’ Weather Corporation, a private weather forecasting company supporting racing and cruising boats worldwide. Pat graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in Meteorology."Weather for Poets" is a non-technical explanation of why there is weather, why the weather patterns look the way they do, thunderstorms, lake breezes,what to look for on the water and on the internet. Join us at the Tompkins Center, Windmill Pointe Park (home of the Grosse Pointe Sail Club) on Wednesday evening, February 9, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. No restaurant facilities available.

February 16, 2011:“Medicine Afloat”

Once out on the water, we are very much left to our own devices and preparation with knowledge and supplies is often the key to safely continuing our sail or even safely returning to shore. With this in mind, we continue our efforts to bring new ideas and new voices to our superb group of seminar presenters over the past years with the addition of Dr. Robert Welch, M.D., M.S. from Wayne State University, Department of Emergency Medicine. His Medicine Afloat seminar, given from a sailor's perspective is sure to provide us with an educational evening addressing practical care in the setting of short term cruising and racing. This is an evening not to bemissed! This seminar will be hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Clubfrom 7:00 – 9:00 PM and as usual, is free and open to the public. Therestaurant will be open ahead of time, accepting credit cards only.Beverage service will be available. The formal dress code will be waived.

February 23, 2011:“De-Mystifying Rating Systems”

will be presented by DRYA ChiefHandicapper David Spiers and DRYA RC 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 ratingsystems. Prof. Coleman will review the evolution of thisconcept 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 ratingand how we address them to give fair handicaps and racing across the many types of yachts racing today. Questions are welcome! Comments areexpected! The Detroit Yacht Club will be our hosts 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.

March 2, 2011:“Staying Alive With CPR”

When someone’s heartbeat or breathing stops, immediate CPR is critical to their survival. Learning how to properly administer Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a genuine life-saving skill. Get that training by joining us for a three-hour class taught by PC Loretta Rehe, and Ted and Janie Williford, fellow sailors and certified CPR instructors. There is a nominal fee of $30.00 to cover the cost of educational materials. Pre-registration before February 26th is mandatory in order to have adequate equipment and instructors on hand. Participation is limited to 30. If there is enough interest, a second class will be added on March 3rd at the same location and time. This seminar will be hosted, from 7:00 – 10:00 PM, by the Edison Boat Club. No food or beverages will be served. Pre-registration will be available at any prior Wednesday Night Seminar or through kevinvsherry@aol.com

March 9, 2011:“Saving Sailing … Continued”

This Seminar will be a significant follow-up on the special DRYA "Saving Sailing" Symposium last October that featured Nick Haynes, author of the best-seller "Saving Sailing." This seminar will feature Michigan native Dawn Riley who is an America's Cup and Around the World Sailboat racer who is also an accomplished businesswoman, community leader and youth-sports advocate, author, speaker, TV commentator and committed philanthropist. Dawn will discuss her own passion for `saving sailing' including her newest activities with the Oakcliff Sailing Center which is dedicated to training sailors, boat workers, owners and teams in order to raise the level of sailors and sailing in the United States. A panel discussion including a large group of local sailors (including Jim Rodgers) who have been meeting regularly at North Star to put together a "Saving Sailing"action plan will complete this fascinating and relevant evening. David Coleman will moderate the discussion. This program will be held at the North Star Sail Club from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. There will be a cash bar (cash or credit card). No food service.

March 16, 2011:“Basic Racing Rules”

“Saving Sailing … Continued” This Seminar will be a significant follow-up on thespecial DRYA "Saving Sailing" Symposium last October that featured Nick Haynes,author of the best-seller "Saving Sailing." This seminar willfeature Michigan native Dawn Riley who is an America's Cupand Around the World Sailboat racer who is also anaccomplished businesswoman, community leader and youthsports advocate, author, speaker, TV commentator andcommitted philanthropist. Dawn will discuss her own passionfor `saving sailing' including her newest activities with theOakcliff Sailing Center which is dedicated to training sailors, boat workers, ownersand teams in order to raise the level of sailors and sailing in the United States. Apanel discussion including a large group of local sailors (including Jim Rodgers)who have been meeting regularly at North Star to put together a "Saving Sailing"action plan will complete this fascinating and relevant evening. David Coleman willmoderate the discussion. This program will be held at the North Star Sail Club from7:00 – 9:00 PM. There will be a cash bar (cash or credit card). No food service.

March 23, 2011:“Safety at Sea”

This seminar, presented by Chuck Knowles and Margi Schneider, will be a practical discussion of safety issues and equipment that relate to both racing and cruising sailors. Chuck will present the very newest equipment available, and make numerous specific recommendations. Chuck and Margi are aggressively preparing their live-aboard yacht V-Twin for extended world cruising; lessons-learned to date, and planned upgrades will be discussed. This should be an instructive and entertaining evening. A special mystery guest will discuss safety from his perspective and explain what a sailboat ‘looks like' from the bridge of a fully-loaded 1000' freighter. This presentation is sponsored by West Marine. Please join us at the Grosse Ile Yacht Club on Wednesday evening, March 23rd from 7:00 -9:00 pm. The availability of food and beverage service will be posted later.

One more thing...       - - Don Caley

The ASI Burgee is back on a weekly schedule. The next one will be next Tuesday, February 1. Please send your Burgee input to asidon@comcast.net by Sunday for inclusion in that Burgee.