Newsletter
March 2005

From the Bridge…

…a word from the Commodore

It hardly seems possible that the sailing season is nearly upon us again. Perhaps for some of you the new sailing season has already started. It seems like we just finished scrubbing our hulls and storing our gear for the winter. In this first newsletter of 2005, I would like to provide a glimpse into the season ahead, and offer you all some marching instructions as to how you can help make it a great season for the Lake Saint Louis Sailing Club. Please keep in mind that this will by no means be a comprehensive look at the season, since I hope that many of you will come forward with ideas and suggestions as to how we can make the Sailing Club work best for you and your families. Nonetheless, I want to at least get you thinking about your sailing season, and to provide you some insight into the type of season the sailing club can provide for you.

Membership

You may recall that last year saw a tremendous expansion in our membership. This came primarily from families with young sailors (or future sailors) joining the club, although not all of our growth was from young families. You can help ensure that we build on this outstanding growth by registering with the Sailing Club for the 2005 season. As was the case last year, the cost is only $20 per family for the season, or $10 for a Junior membership. Your $20 entitles you to these monthly newsletters (yeah, not much of an incentive), access to regattas and social events, free use of the C.A. and club-owned Sunfish sailboats moored near the C.A. Clubhouse on the little lake, free sailing lessons, AND membership in the oldest (and we like to think most fun) club in Lake Saint Louis. I have enclosed a registration from which you can complete and return to me.

Now, once you have registered for the season, I am asking that each member family make it a goal for the season to introduce at least one new family to the wonderful world of sailing. With any luck, many of those families will see fit to join the Sailing Club as well. The best way to ensure the long-term health of the club is to bring in new members each year. There is plenty of wind to go around, so let's share the wealth and show as many people as possible why sailing is so much fun! I am confident that no other local club offers so much for so little.

Also, please think about how you might want to volunteer your time with the club this year. We can't get anything done without your help! Happy Sailing!

Pearson Buell
Commodore

Boats and Parts Needed!

Our Sunfish sailing program remains one of the most popular features for club members. On any given evening or weekend you are likely to see at least a few of the boats out on the little lake, often skippered by some of our youngest members. Our Sunfish regattas were a big hit last year, with 30 different sailors competing during the season. This success has left us a little short on boats from time to time. If you (or someone you know) have an old Sunfish (or other sailboat) that is just lying around, and you would like to see it being used by people who would really appreciate it, consider donating it to the Sailing Club. The past few seasons have proven that there is certainly enough interest to keep the boats busy, and there are plenty of young sailors willing to do the work to keep the boats in shipshape.

We are also looking for parts for our Sunfish. We have a few extra boats that we can't launch because we do not have enough parts to sail them. We'll take whatever we can find, so donations of Sunfish parts are strongly encouraged.

Rules, Rules, Rules!

Sailboat racing, as much as any other activity, requires that clearly defined rules be established and followed to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy themselves without putting themselves, or others, at risk. Of course, this only works if we all know the rules. As such, each month we will be publishing some rules that every racer should know. Ultimately, you'll need to pick up The Racing Rules of Sailing, but we hope you'll find this a good place to start. Not only will the rules help keep you and your boat safe, they can often be used to create an advantage for your boat, but only if you know them.

Section A - Right of Way

A boat has right of way when another boat is required to keep clear of her. However, some rules in Sections B, C and D limit the actions of a right-of-way boat.

10. ON OPPOSTITE TACKS

When boats are on opposite tacks, a port-tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard-tack boat.

11. ON THE SAME TACK, OVERLAPPED

When boats are on the same tack and overlapped, a windward boat shall keep clear of a leeward boat.

12. ON THE SAME TACK, NOT OVERLAPPED

When boats are on the same tack and not overlapped, a boat clear astern shall keep clear of a boat clear ahead.

13. WHILE TACKING

After a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-hauled course. During that time rules 10, 11 and 12 do not apply. If two boats are subject to this rule at the same time, the one on the other's port side or the one astern shall keep clear.

Calendar

We are in the process of developing a calendar for the 2005 season. We are including a draft of this calendar for your review. There are plenty of events to be added, including cabin boat racing and more social events. Also, please keep in mind that many of these dates will need to be approved by the Community Association, but we suggest you pencil them in for now. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Pearson Buell at 625-2154 or pearsonbuell@centurytel.net.

April

• 17 - Sunfish Launch - CA Clubhouse - 1:00pm - Come help us get the season started as we launch the Sunfish for the season.
• 20 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm
• 23 - Welcome Aboard Party - CA Clubhouse - 7:00pm - Welcome our newest members, and gather with old friends!
• 24 - Sunfish Regatta - Little Lake - 1:00pm - The first regatta of the season. Sailors of all ages are welcome!

May

• 18 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm
• 20 - Cabin Boat Overnight Party - Windjammer and Party Cove - 8:00pm
• 28 - Sunfish Regatta - Little Lake - 1:00pm - Come test your skills against your fellow club members!

June

• 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Open Sail Night - Little Lake - 6:30pm - Club members will be on hand to help with Sunfish sailing.
• 10, 11, 12 - On-the-Water Boat Show - Windjammer - Boats of all types will be available for test rides. This is our annual fundraiser/community event, so you need to be there!
• 11, 25 - Sailing Lessons - Little Lake - 9:00am - Learn to sail, or help teach.
• 15 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm
• 18 - Pirate Party - Little Lake - Time TBD - ARRRGGH! Try to find me treasure, will ya?
• 25 - Sunfish Regatta - Little Lake - 1:00pm - Come test your skills against your fellow club members!

July

• 2, 23 - Sailing Lessons - Little Lake - 9:00am - Learn to sail, or help teach.
• 7, 14, 21, 28 - Open Sail Night - Little Lake - 6:30pm - Club members will be on hand to help with Sunfish sailing.
• 17 - Sunfish Regatta - Little Lake - 1:00pm - The season is well underway, so why not race?!?
• 20 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm

August

• 4, 11, 18 - Open Sail Night - Little Lake - 6:30pm - Club members will be on hand to help with Sunfish sailing.
• 13, 20 - Sailing Lessons - Little Lake - 9:00am - Learn to sail, or help teach.
• 14 - Sunfish Regatta - Little Lake - 1:00pm - The summer season is winding down, so why not race?!?
• 17 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm

September

• 4 - Sunfish Regatta - Little Lake - 1:00pm - It's getting cooler, the winds are picking up. Now is the time to race!
• 21 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm

October

• 9 - Sunfish Regatta - Little Lake - 1:00pm - Last call to race the Sunfish!
• 19 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm

November

• 11 - Awards Party - CA Clubhouse - 7:00pm - Let's end the season with a bang!
• 16 - Board Meeting - CA Sunfish Room - 7:00pm

Virtual Sailing

Some of us just can't wait for the season to get started. We spend the off-season dreaming of gathering breezes while we read our sailing magazines or tinkering with our boats. Others have found a way to get do a little sailing no matter what the weather is outside: virtual sailing. If you were at the awards party at the end of last season, you may have tried racing sailboats on a computer. We used the Sail 2000 program, which simulates America's Cup match racing. Since then, Norm West recommended another program, and it is even more fun than Sail 2000, and it is less expensive! Virtual Skipper 3 allows you to select from several different types of boats, and you can even design your own course, including creating the land, currents, winds, etc. You can find it on Amazon.com for less than $30.