Racing 2009
Steve Maynard, 2009 Race Chair
The 2009 Race program is planned. It should be a good year. We have two or three new boats so we may be able to spread out the classes more. I need to know whether you want to race Spinnaker or JAM so I can start to set up the classes.
I would like to encourage all non racers to join us for this fun and exciting way to further enjoy your sport. If you would like to participate as crew or on race committee, please contact me and I will see to it that you are included. Check the race schedule on Page 1.
The ABRYA Skippers' Meeting is May 1, at North Star Sail Club, from 6:30 PM to 9 PM. You can sign up for our series along with the other ABRYA series. These will include the ABRYA Invitational Series, AYC races and NSSC races. They will be covering the changes for this year.
NSSC is trying to set a U.S. & Canadian Customs Requirements Seminar to go over the process for going to and returning from Canada. The rules are much more strict this year. This will also include representatives from Homeland Security and the Coast Guard. As soon as a date is set, I'll send out a notice. Port Huron Yacht Club is also sponsoring one of these meetings. I'm not sure of the date. You can contact the club for date and time.
On March 11 at 7:00 pm, Great Lakes Yacht Club, 23900 Jefferson, St. Clair Shores is hosting one of the last DRYA seminars for the season. The is “Sailboat Racing Tactics” with Al Declercq.
On March 12 at 7:00 pm, NSSC is sponsoring a Mac Race Seminar. If you're interested in the Mac this is a good seminar. It covers a lot of good information about the race.
On March 25 at 7:00 pm, the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society is holding a Safety Seminar at NSSC.
Finally, I will be presenting the race flags for the 2008 season at the Commodore's Ball on March 28 at Gino's surf. See you there.
Please send your questions and preferences to me. My e-mail address and phone # are shown on the member list.
Steve Maynard “Trillium”
Membership Report
Larry Caricchio - Membership Chairman
The current paid membership stands at 60%, so it’s time for some of you to open your moth eaten check books and pony up your CRCA dues for 2009. Don’t take a chance on missing out on the boating season’s opening festivities, especially after such a hard winter.
In a separte e-mail you will recieve 2 member lists. One shows active members. The other, ‘08 members who’s dues we have not yet recieved. If you are listed on the latter, send your application in now. Also, please check the lists for accuracy and report any errors to me.
Larry Caricchio “Zingara”
Navigo Ergo Sum
Fleet Activity
C22 Winter Regatta
Erv Zimmerman and Mike Bracket sailed Adventuring in the C22 Mid-Winter Regatta in Cocoa, FL on Feb 21-22. A total of 28 boats participated from all over the Eastern half of the US. The regatta was won by the current reigning National Champ - Justin Chambers from Atlanta. Adventuring sailed well but the competition is pretty stiff.
Mark roundings in a One Design fleet of 28 boats can get quite interesting!! In spite of the 2 boat length circle, there is never quite enough room. We did get a lot of practice on the 360s!! Overall, we finished well down in the fleet. But on the upside, the weather in FL was 70 degrees and sunny, with winds in the 10-12 Kt range. A far cry better than the snow storm in Michigan.
C22 Fleet Report
Catalina 22 Fleet 130 held its Spring meeting on Saturday, March 7th at North Star Sail Club. We had 4 boats represented and Erv was there in spirit. He was still in sunny FL while we were soaking wet in the rain!!
Topic of discussion was trying to get sufficient boats interested to approach the NOOD Organizers about having a C22 One Design Start. We have 4 solid commitments and a possibility of one or two more. If any one is really interested in sailing some real one design races, let me know. We might be able to find you a boat.
We also discussed the Great Lakes Cruise this summer to the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and the possibility of joining CRCA on a cruise or two.
We also agreed to have a couple of day sails out the St Clair light followed by a picnic at Metro Beach and maybe a Fleet display (on the land) at the fall boat show. Anyone know how much the cost is for a 'booth' at the boat show?
The next meeting will be held in May.
Mike Bracket “Gunsmoke”
“A tourist remains an outsider throughout his visit, but a sailor is part of the local scene from the moment he arrrives.”
Ann Davison