NWSA

Commodore's Message

Ahoy Sailors!

As this sailing season winds down, it is a good time to reflect on what we enjoyed most and on the best learned lessons from this season. This will give us plenty to discuss at the NWSA ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET, Saturday, November10, 2018. I hope everyone will make a serious attempt to attend this year. It is a great opportunity to share experiences with other sailors and to meet members of our association whom we have not had the opportunity to sail with.

I want to thank all of the officers and board members who served this year. To those who are not returning we extend our gratitude for your service. To those who are returning, thank you again.

We are still looking for people to serve as officers for the coming year. We have many new board members and this past year has been an exciting one for this board. Join us and be a part of the evolution of our organization!

We will plan to have another Captains Meeting this year. It was helpful in planning the sailing calendar and we gained insights into the needs and wishes of the organization. We will announce the dates as soon as we determine the best time to hold the meeting.

As the cold weather begins to settle in, I am preparing to sail Illuminator to her winter home in Muskegon, Michigan. I look forward to this journey each season. I begin the season by bringing Illuminator down from the North and end each season with the return trip. I usually take three or four days so that I can enjoy the marinas on the Michigan side of the lake. The Munici­pal Marina at New Buffalo is one of my favorite places to visit. I especially enjoy the fact it is a public marina and is quite reasonably priced. The people who work there are always helpful and the accommodations are also pleasant. The town is quaint with good restau­rants and many places to shop.

Saugatuck is the second port of call on this trip and is an absolutely wonderful place to visit. It is substan­tially larger than New Buffalo with many shops and restaurants. There are quite a few marinas and it is considerably more expensive to dock there. I really like docking at the marinas that are at the main street into town with restaurants a few yards from your boat. There is dancing and entertainment close at hand and I always enjoy the visit there.

In preparation for the trip I am again reading Surviv­ing the Storm by Steve and Linda Dashew. It is one of my favorite books on sailing. When crossing Lake Michigan, especially in the later months, you need to be prepared for heavy weather. This book is dedicated to coastal and offshore sailing tactics, which have proven to be often useful in my crossings. I recom­mend this book to all who sail on Lake Michigan!

Enjoy our final events of the year! —Richard Reed

Strong wind and rough seas on Lake Michigan rock Richard Reed’s Illuminator in Monroe Harbor on September 8, 2018. Photo by Richard Reed.

2017 Photo Contest Winners
Best Scenic  | Best Boat Name | Best Under Sail | Best Group Shot | Best Old Salt | Best Sunset 

NWSA History

Read a note written 1976 Commodore Pat Kellogg about the beginnings of NWSA.

Special thanks to Elmer and Joyce Hook for providing this wonderful look at the early days of the NWSA. 
Read the accompanying letter.

Mission Statement

The NorthWest Sailing Association is an enthusiastic  group of sailors living in and about Chicago's Northwest suburbs. The members share a quest for increased  knowledge and improved  seamanship in a spirit of camaraderie and fun.

Founded  in 1974  by  a  small  group  of  25 sailors  seeking others of similar interests,  the Club's initial purpose was to  exchange knowledge and experiences. In the course of the years hence, and continuing today, club  members  regularly  sail  together out of  all  major  Chicago  area harbors, on  inland  lakes  surrounding  Chicago, Wisconsin,  and  occasionally across Lake  Michigan  and  back!

The high  point of the summer sailing season, is our Door County / Wisconsin Sailing Weekend. Club members have organized charters in the Bahamas, Florida  and  other  exotic  locations, and  will  plan  future  charters  to various  prime  sailing  areas  as  the  members  interest  dictates.

Who Belongs to NWSA?

Members  include  families,  couples,  singles - anyone  interested  in sailing;  including  skippers with  large cruising boats or medium or small sailboats; even  sailors with no boats.   Members who don't know how to sail, but are interested in  learning,  may wish to crew with our experienced sailboat owners and gain valuable experience and knowledge of boat handling.

Ample opportunity  to crew  is available at each sailing event, and during the days between events with available skippers.

We Meet. . .

During the boating season, the NWSA sponsors  sailing events in many of  the major Chicago land lake, and Michigan  harbors, as well as inland lakes.  We have sponsored cruises in Wisconsin, - Door County, Racine and Lake Geneva; Indiana; Michigan and a Lake Michigan Crossing. Illinois:  Waukegan, Monroe, Montrose, Winthrop, Pistakee Lake, Fox Lake; Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, Busse Woods, Elk Grove Village.  Groups have chartered excursions in the Bahamas, Florida, and various prime sailing destinations.