Ahoy Sailors,

THE SAILING SEASON CONTINUES!

This month I need to thank:
Our Themed Sail team comprised of Chairman John Morris, Ken Butterly, John Pasch and Richard Reed. The third presentation at our August meeting was very informative.

I want to share with the newer sailors how I applied the latest lesson.

As a new boat owner and captain, I am very conservative when applying the “rules of the road” on the water. Sailing a 19-foot boat, I seldom exercise my right of way. When approaching or being approached by another sailboat, I try to quickly assess both of our tack positions and relate them to our prospective courses. When appropriate, I adjust my course while we are still approximately 75 to 100 yards apart.  If I am still sailing at dusk, I turn on my lights to assist other boats in determining the course I am sailing.

As you are attending sailing events, please remember to send pictures to both Gayle for the communique and Peggy for the website.

Our next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 and our next Board Meeting will be held on Monday, September 11, 2017 at the Palatine Library.

The “Across the Lake” sail over Labor Day has been cancelled because Pete Schleck’s boat, Reprise was struck by lightning.

I also want to address the banquet being held in November. I know that several members object to the “formal” or “black tie” apparel description. I describe the men’s apparel as coat and tie. This is a better description as to what I desire at the banquet. No one will be refused entry, but please do not wear shorts. We will be having a contest for the most outrageous tie or bowtie. Based on our member’s feedback regarding the venue in past years, we have moved the event to the Illinois State Beach Park in Zion Illinois. This has caused a slight raise in costs. Please consider attending this event.

We are looking forward to getting all of our sails in for the coming month and having warm breezes and smooth water under our keel.

Fair winds and smooth sailing,
Bill Draver
2017 Commodore

Ahoy Sailors,

THE SAILING SEASON CONTINUES!

This month I need to thank:

1. Casey Bezec and Tony Campo, both past commodores, for providing their boats for the Kenosha sail. (See my write-up separately).
2. Our Themed Sail team comprised of Chairman John Morris, Ken Butterly, John Pasch and Richard Reed.  The first two presentations at our June and July meetings were a great success.

I want to share with the newer sailors how I applied both John’s and Ken’s second lesson.

Because I am still a new boat owner and captain, with a little more experience, I decided not to reef the sail this past weekend because the winds were very manageable. I did however decide to practice the “heave to” maneuver. Because the first lesson covered basic points of sail and knot tying, they were reinforced as we sailed this weekend. I realize that they will continue to be applied every time we take the boat onto the water.

As you are attending sailing events, please remember to send pictures to both Gayle for the communique and Peggy for the website.

Our next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, August 21, 2017 and our next Board Meeting will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017 at the Palatine Library.

The “Across the Lake” sail is getting a good response. We now have 13 sailors signed up but only 2 boats at this time. We will need another boat to participate to accommodate the crew who are looking to attend. Captains, please consider if you would be available over the Labor Day weekend to join us in this sail.

We are looking forward to getting all of our sails in for the coming month and having warm breezes and smooth water under our keel.

Fair winds and smooth sailing,

Bill Draver
2017 Commodore

Ahoy Sailors,

THE SAILING SEASON HAS JUST STARTED!

As I reported at our May meeting, we have a new board member. Gayle Booth has accepted the position of Public Relations Director. Please join me in welcoming her to the board by supplying her with articles about and photos from our sailing events.  Please sign up on the website if you can help our boat owners get their boats ready and into the water.

We still have one critical board position still open. We need a Membership Director and because the directory has been sent to the printer, this position has become easier.  See the position requirements in the directory. To maintain our status as a successful sailing club, we need to have all the positions filled. Please consider filling the remaining open position.

We have scheduled our Father’s Day Picnic again this year and it will be held at Bangs Lake. Thanks to Hal, Almut and John Shanafield for
setting this up and getting the gazebo.

Our next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, June 19, 2017 and our next Board Meeting will be held on Monday, June 12, 2017 at the Palatine Library. I will send directions again to the board.

The “Across the Lake” sail is getting a good response. We have 10 sailors and 2 boats signed up at this time. We may need another boat to participate to accommodate the crew who are looking to attend. Captains, please consider if you would be available over the Labor Day weekend to join us in this sail.

As the temporary Membership Director, I want to report that we have received paid memberships for 168 members.  We are hoping to distribute the 2017 directories at our June meeting and we will be publishing an update for any additional members who join after publication. Please remember to send us your dues and complete the membership form on the website. Or even better, bring your completed form and money to the next club meeting.

We are look forward to getting back on the water and having warm breezes and smooth water under our keel.

Fair winds and smooth sailing,
Bill Draver
2017 Commodore