Summer Phone: 920-854-7107

Racing

Holiday Gift Ideas from the EYC

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If you have a fanatic racer or just a casual sailor in your family, consider a sailing-related gift for the holidays.  Here are some ideas:

A sailboat (or just new sails).  See the article in the Fall 2011 issue of the Eagle’s Cry listing all the reasons why owning a sailboat — instead of just sailing on EYC-owned boats — is a good idea.  Among the top reasons is not having to worry whether you will draw an EYC boat on those days when the number of skippers in the draw exceeds the number of EYC-owned boats.  Or, if your fanatic racer already has a boat, new racing sails are always appreciated, and will pay dividends on the race course.

EYC Membership.  Do you have a son or daughter who is now too old to be included as a Junior member in your Family membership?  An Individual EYC membership would make a great gift.  Junior members (children of Family members under 25 years old) don’t have to pay the $200 initiation fee if they become Family or Individual members within one year after their 25th birthday!  Or, maybe you have a grandchild who will want to take lessons next year.  That grandchild will need to be a Student member in order to take lessons (unless his or her parents will be Family members).  To download the membership application form, go to www.eyc.org/membership

Sailing Lessons at the EYC.  You may be an excellent sailor, but perhaps your spouse or child would prefer to learn to sail from a professional EYC instructor in a relaxed atmosphere without any family dynamics?  The EYC offers group and private lessons for juniors and adults.  Keep an eye on the EYC website at www.eyc.org/lessons for the 2012 lesson schedule and sign-up link, which will be posted early in 2012.

US Sailing Membership.  US Sailing is the governing body of the sport of sailing in the U.S.  The member benefits are well worth the annual membership cost, including regatta entry discounts, a subscription to American Sailor magazine, e-mail newsletters (which include a lot of valuable racing how-to advice), and discounts on books and gear from the US Sailing online store.  To join go to http://membership.ussailing.org

Sailing World Magazine subscription.  This  magazine is the only monthly published in the U.S. focusing on sailboat racing.  Keep your sailor’s appetite whetted for next summer, with a year-round monthly dose of sailboat racing news and how-to. www.sailingworld.com

A Sailing Vacation.  A winter (or spring break) sailing vacation with friends or family is a great way to cure the winter blahs and will provide memories to last a lifetime.  Skippered and bareboat (unskippered) charters are available in spectacular locations all over the world.  When you compare the cost of a week-long charter to the cost of a week-long family stay at a resort, you will be pleasantly surprised.  Among the best — and closest — places for first-time charterers are the British Virgin Islands.  Just Google “British Virgin Islands Charters” for lots of information.

Sailing Gear.  Does your sailor need a new PFD, sunglasses, sailing gloves, foul weather gear or sailing shoes?  Check out West Marine www.westmarine.com or your local yachting store.

Books and Videos.  Search the Internet for books and videos on sailing, covering every subject from the racing rules and tactics, to dramatic accounts of to solo circumnavigations, to idyllic sailing getaways.  Examples:

Understanding the Yacht Racing Rules and Winning in One-Designs by Dave Perry

The Annapolis Book of Seamanship, by John Rousmaniere and Mark Smith

Sailing for Dummies, by J.J. and Peter Isler

Sailing Alone Around the World, by Joshua Slocumb

The Greatest Sailing Stories Ever Told, Christopher Caswell (ed.)

Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die: Sailing Experts Share the World’s Greatest Destinations, by Chris Santella

Atlantic High, by William F. Buckley

For videos on a variety of sailing subjects, including basic instruction, cruising guides, and the classic movie Captain Ron starring Kurt Russel and Martin Short, search on amazon.com under “movies and TV” for “sailing”.

UW-Madison Advanced Racing Clinic Oct. 22-23

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EYC teens who have taken the EYC’s Advanced Racing class or who race on their high schoool sailing team should consider attending this two-day advanced sailboat racing clinic at the UW-Madison sailing club (“Hoofers”) on October 22 and 23.  The clinic is taught by UW-Madison team members in 420s and Flying Juniors, and costs only $100.

This clinic will be a good introduction to what college racing is like, for any EYC junior who is considering racing at the college level.

For more information and to sign up:  http://www.uwsailingteam.org/wisco-clinic-2011

 

Upcoming Flying Scot Regattas

Flying Scot Fleet 199 of the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club is hosting a Flying Scot regatta on September 10.  For more information and a copy of the Notice of Race, contact Fleet 199 captain Bill Draeb [email protected]

The Carlyle Sailing Association, near St. Louis, will host the Whale of a Sail / Egyptian Cup / Leukemia Cup regatta on September 17-18.  For more information and a copy of the Notice of Race, contact Felicia Bamer [email protected].  Carlyle will host the 2012 Flying Scot North American Championship regatta, so this fall’s regatta is a good opportunity to gain a little advance local knowledge.

 

Buy an International Optimist

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The EYC’s fleet of International Optimists is one of the EYC’s most popular fleets for racing.  In 2011, sixteen junior skippers raced in the EYC’s Saturday afternoon Optimist series, and nineteen skippers raced in the Tuesday evening series.

The Optimist class also saw a number of days during the peak of the EYC’s season when the number of EYC juniors seeking to use an EYC-owned Optimist exceeded the eight Optimists in the EYC-owned fleet.  On July 16, to use the most extreme example, there were seventeen EYC juniors seeking to draw an EYC Optimist for that evening’s racing.  While “more racers than boats” is a good problem to have, the EYC is exploring ways to increase Optimist racing opportunity for 2012.

Fundamentally, there are only two ways to increase Optimist racing opportunity.  The first is to hold more races, which the EYC is likely to do.

The second is to increase the number of Optimists in the EYC Optimist fleet.  The EYC has received one donated Optimist (thanks, Joel and Suzy Dykman!) and is actively seeking donations of additional Optimists.  Depending on the EYC’s financial situation, the EYC may attempt to purchase a second Optimist to increase the EYC-owned fleet to ten for 2012, an increase of 25%.

However, the EYC’s board of directors recently reviewed its fleets and reaffirmed longstanding EYC policy that the EYC determines its investment in its various fleets by the needs of its lesson program and not by the maximum number of racers who may wish to race in an EYC boat for free.  The EYC can use ten Optimists in lessons; however, the EYC does not contemplate owning twelve, fourteen, or seventeen Optimists any time soon, unless they are donated.

So, parents who wish to guarantee that their child always has an Optimist to race, should purchase their own Optimist.  Late summer and fall are excellent times to buy used Optimists as parents put up for sale Optimists which their children have grown out of.

Optimists are relatively inexpensive; a new one purchased from Laser Performance Inc. is less than $2500 (see http://na.laserperformance.com/home); from McLaughlin Boat Works, a new one costs approximately as little as $2350 (or $2000 if you purchase an “event boat”) (see http://optistuff.com/info/boats.html).

Used Optimists in very good condition can be had for as little as $1000.  Two used Optimists are currently for sale to EYC members on the EYC Classified Advertisements page for $999 and $1100, respectively.   See http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=44558737326&topic=13918  Additional used Optimists in your area can be found with a simple Google search.

Furthermore, because the Optimist is the most numerous one-design sailboat in the world, and because the EYC’s lesson program creates a steady stream of new junior sailors, your Optimist readily can be sold when your children move on to Lasers,  Flying Juniors, 420s and Flying Scots.

In 2011, did your child or grandchild come away from an EYC Optimist boat draw frustrated and sad because he or she did not draw a boat?  There is only one way to guarantee that won’t happen again in 2012:  buy your own Optimist.

Flying Scots for Sale

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A number of EYC members are looking to purchase a used Flying Scot for racing and family use for 2012.  Late summer and fall is the best time to get a bargain on a used Scot or other sailboat!  The Flying Scot is the third-largest one-design sailboat class in the US, so there are always lots of used Scots available at all price points. 

Keep an eye on the Flying Scot Sailing Association for-sale pages at http://www.fssa.com/ht/shop/shop-caveat-emptor.htm and at http://www.fssa.com/fsforum2/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=6 

Or do a periodic Google search, or set a Google Alert for “Flying Scot Sailboat”.

Here are some inexpensive used Scots listed for sale in places near where EYC members live:

Hull #2629 Features:  Douglas built with aluminum mast and boom, two sets main and jib, one spinnaker.  Light blue deck, white hull with red stripe. Motor mount and 3 hp Mercury OB. Galvanized trailer with spare tire . Spinnaker pole, 4 bumpers, anchor, custom wood deck racks, box of spare Scot parts. Licensed WI.  On trailer in Fond du Lac WI (one hour north of Milwaukee). Asking $4,000. Contact Craig Postier 920-948-5415

Flying Scot, 1974 #2506, 3rd owner, fresh water sailed, Kansas City area.  Douglass hull, no soft spots or cracks. Barely used North Sails, main, jib, spinnaker.  British Seagull motor and original sails. Trailer. Swim ladder, ready to install new bow bag, mast float and port.  Email [email protected] or phone 913-522-2618  Asking $3500.

1972 Flying Scot, 2 set of sails (main and jib), trailer. Located Milwaukee Community Sailing Center.   Call or text 414 334-1803.  Asking $1500.

 

 

2011 Race Results

Congratulations to all 2011 EYC racers! We had the biggest racing season ever at the EYC, with more race participation than ever before.  Racing is half of the EYC’s core mission, so a high level of racing participation indicates a healthy EYC:

Monday Flying Scots: 19 boats
Tuesday Optimists: 19 skippers
Friday Flying Juniors: 28 skippers
Friday Lasers: 15 skippers
Saturday Flying Scots: 21 boats
Saturday Optimists: 16 skippers
Sunday Flying Juniors: 21 skippers
Sunday Lasers: 7 skippers

Plus, each of the Ephraim Regatta, the Women’s Regatta, the Family Regatta, the Optimist Regatta, and the Rich Hall Junior Regatta saw high levels of participation, every available EYC-owned boat being used.

Congrats to the series trophy winners:

Monday Flying Scots: 1st “Reindeer” Jay Lott and Annika Pearson; 2nd “Undaunted” Joani Lewis and various crew; 3rd “Skizot” Woody Heidler and various crew.
Tuesday Optimists: 1st Eric Hoyerman, 2nd Steven Richter, 3rd Sydney Richter
Friday Flying Juniors: 1st Teddy Papenthien, 2nd Will Gheorghita, 3rd Megan Bierman
Friday Lasers: 1st Ally Dykman, 2nd Brian Ritter, 3rd Eric Richter
Saturday Flying Scots: 1st “Reindeer” Jay Lott and Matt Andersen; 2nd “Undaunted” Joani Lewis and various crew; 3rd “Skizot” Woody Heidler and various crew
Saturday Optimists: 1st Sydney Richter, 2nd Steven Richter, 3rd Gretchen Pearson
Sunday Flying Juniors:  1st Matt Andersen, 2nd Will Gheorghita, 3rd Gretchen Pearson
Sunday Lasers: 1st Ally Dykman, 2nd Teddy Papenthien, 3rd Max Werner

For complete 2011 EYC race results, go to www.eyc.org/racing

Races this Weekend

EYC racers are reminded that in order to avoid conflict with the EYC’s annual membership meeting and summer board meeting, the Flying Scot races which would normally be held on Saturday, August 13 will be held instead on Sunday, August 14. The draw to use an EYC-owned boat will be at 9:15 AM, the optional skippers meeting will be at 9:30 AM and the first race is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.

The Laser and Flying Junior races on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, and the Optimist races on Saturday afternoon, will be held as usual. Sunday, August 14 is the last day of racing at the EYC in 2011.

For complete information about racing at the EYC, including the Notice of Race which contains the season-long race schedule, see www.eyc.org/racing.

Regatta Results

Congratulations are due to all the sailors who competed in last week’s Women’s Regatta and the 106th annual Ephraim Regatta.

Seven boats competed in the Women’s Regatta, held August 3 in windy, wavy, challenging conditions.  Third was Ally Dykman with crew Morgan and Suzy Dykman, second was Annika Pearson with crew Maura Zingsheim and Byrn Dyar, and first was Nancy Claypool with crew Carrie Berger and Prudy Hall.

The Ephraim Regatta saw light winds on Saturday, August 6, but the EYC’s excellent race committee was able to finish three quality races just before the wind croaked.  On Sunday, August 7, racers and spectators were treated to a classic Ephraim northerly blow with winds building to the high teens and 3-foot waves, which provided challenging and thrilling conditions.

Trophy winners were:

Vail Cup (winner of the first race):  Ben Williams and Deb Aronson of the Clinton Lake Sailing Association.

Sturgis Trophy (highest finishing skipper age 18 or under):  Alden Crowe with crew Joani Lewis and Christina Davis

Charlie Sauter Trophy (winner of the last race):  Jay Lott and David Sauter

Peder Knutson Trophy (highest finishing husband/wife team):  Ben Williams and Deb Aronson

106th Ephraim Regatta:

5th Place:  Larry Klick of the Medicine Lake Sailing Club and crew Jeff Holwell (33 points)

4th Place:  Jason Brown and Kirk Brown of the Ephraim Yacht Club (23 points)

3rd Place:  Jay Lott and David Sauter of the Ephraim Yacht Club (22 points)

2nd Place:  Ben Williams and Deb Aronson of the Clinton Lake Sailing Association (19 points)

1st Place:  Larry Taggart of the Southern Yacht Club and Carrie Berger of the Ephraim Yacht Club (17 points)

For complete results of both regattas, go to www.eyc.org/racing.

EPHRAIM REGATTA WHOO HOO!

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The 106th EPHRAIM REGATTA is this weekend!  The Ephraim Regatta is the oldest on the Great Lakes and is one of the largest Flying Scot regattas in the U.S.  Races begin Saturday August 6 at 11:00 AM and Sunday August 7 at 10:00 AM.  Even if you are not competing or volunteering, come on down to the EYC to socialize with fellow members and watch the races from the EYC’s comfortable, spacious bleachers.   If you plan to compete but have not yet registered, you can register from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Friday at the Regatta Welcome Party or from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM Saturday at the EYC.

Everyone is invited to the REGATTA WELCOME PARTY Friday, August 5 at 6:00 PM at the home of Jay Lott, 9910 Mueller Lane, Bailey’s Harbor, about 5 minutes from the EYC.  The all-you-can-eat menu includes appetizers, smoked salmon, kebabs and brats on the grill, fresh grilled garden veggies and salads.  Activities will include croquet, bocce ball, horseshoes, volleyball and music.  Beer and soft drinks will be served.  Directions from the EYC:  drive 1/4 mile south on Highway 42 to Highway Q.  Turn left on Q and follow Q east 3 1/2 miles to the intersection with Mueller Lane.  Turn right on Mueller Lane.  The house is the only one on Mueller Lane.  The Regatta Welcome Party is an EYC fundraiser; cost is $12, children 12 and under $6, children 5 and under free.

The legendary REGATTA BRATFEST is Saturday, August 6 beginning at 6:00 PM.  All EYC members and guests are invited.  As always, your hosts the Klein family will serve all-you-can-eat roasted corn, grilled bratwurst, beer and soft drinks in an outdoor setting.  Children are welcome.  Besides eating, drinking and socializing, there is also volleyball and music.  From the EYC, take Hwy. 42 south past the golf course to Maple Grove Road.  Turn left on Maple Grove.  Take Maple Grove east to Gibraltar Road.  Turn right on Gibraltar and go about 1/2 mile.  The driveway will be marked with flags on your right.  The address is “Camelot”, 3282 Gibraltar Road.  Your hosts are the Klein family.   The Bratfest is an EYC fundraiser; cost is $11, children 12 and under $6, children 5 and under free.

Regatta Boat Raffles / Annual Meeting

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RAFFLE FOR EYC-OWNED SCOTS

The EYC owns eight Flying Scots, which are available to be raced by members in the Women’s Regatta and the Ephraim Regatta.  To allocate these boats, the EYC conducts boat raffles in advance of each of these regattas.

Qualified EYC members who wish to skipper an EYC-owned Flying Scot can enter the raffle for either regatta, by e-mailing EYC Director Ben Schallip at [email protected].  In your e-mail, give your name, and state for which regatta (or both) you are seeking to use a Scot.

The deadline to enter the raffle for the Women’s regatta is 9:00 AM, Monday, August 1.  The drawing will be held shortly after the deadline, and winners will be notified by e-mail which boat and which sails they were awarded.  You do not need to be present to win.

The deadline to enter the raffle for the Ephraim Regatta is 9:00 AM Wednesday, August 3.  The drawing will be held shortly after the deadline, and winners will be notified by e-mail which boat and which sails they were awarded.  You do not need to be present to win.

Any skipper drawing an EYC-owned Scot in one of these raffles is expected to register for, and compete in, the entire regatta for which that Scot was drawn (of course, the skipper is not expected to race in conditions which the skipper considers unsafe, given the skill level of his or her crew).

Please remember, to skipper an EYC-owned Flying Scot in either the Women’s Regatta or the Ephraim Regatta, you must be an EYC member and you must have an EYC Skipper’s License.  For information on how to obtain an EYC Skipper’s License, see the EYC Water Safety Policy at www.eyc.org/member-info.  If you are not sure whether you are on the list of persons possessing an EYC Skipper’s License, contact the EYC at (414) 854- 7107 in advance of the date of the raffle, to allow time for a skills assessment or Skipper’s Test if you are not already on the list.

Also, all persons sailing on EYC-owned boats must wear PFDs at all times regardless of weather.

For more information on the Women’s Regatta, see the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions at www.eyc.org/racing.  For more information on the Ephraim Regatta, see the Notice of Race, Welcome and Information Letter, and Registration form at www.eyc.org/racing.

ANNUAL MEETING OF EYC MEMBERS

Mark your calendar now for the annual membership meeting, Saturday, August 13, 9:00 AM at the EYC.  This is an opportunity for you to learn the “State of the Club,” to provide input on what you want your EYC to be, and to elect new members to the Board of Directors.  Please be there to help us achieve a quorum.

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