Newsletter
May 2002

From the Helm.....Ahoy!

Well by the time you get this news letter everyone will have their boat in the water and all tuned up, right? Things are taking shape for a good year. Our club has acquired another Sunfish sailboat - thanks to Mr. Kevin McMahill. I would like to make the two Sunfish that the club owns available to any member, even to race during our club sponsored races. I will work with the board in developing a procedure and guide lines for their use. April 14th we held a race meeting to discuss this year's racing schedule. It was decided that we would not hold a cold duck regatta, that we should keep the races on Sunday afternoon. We will again start at 1:30 pm. Race two races back to back and then go to Windjammer to socialize, handle any protests, and discuss how we could have raced a better race.

To get another boat on the water the person who has race duty will need to set up the course, get back into his sailboat, ten minutes before the start gun he will signal all the boats to gather around his boat; he will then signal the start of the clock so all the racers can start their watches at the same time. The countdown will be three minutes. We will keep our own time around the course, it will be on the honor system. If there are Sunfish boats racing they will start six minutes after the start of the count down clock. See a reprint of an email to those indicating an interest in racing in the colurun just to the right. It explains further the daily race schedule & procedure.

The racing season will have A & B series the first half of the season, and a C & D series the 2nd half of the season. (Ray has the dates.)

I am inviting all of you old salts that aren't racing to help some of our new people that would like to race but don't know the rules well enough. The idea is that you would ride aboard the boat and help the racers with rules, sail adjustment and racing strategy. This would be like a mentor program. Let me know if you are interested. Also we will need this year experienced and inexperienced crew members, again contact me at 561-1682.

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UPDATES FOR RACING MEMBERS OR THOSE WHO THINK THEY MIGHT TRY RACING THIS YEAR!

Just a note to let everyone know that our racing season starts this coming Sunday, May 5th. The Races will again start at 1:30 pm. We have made a few changes; they are as follows:

1. We will race two races back to back and then go into Windjammer.
   1. SocialTime
   2. Discussion of race tactics to help all new comers and old salts.
2. Settle any protests and answer any racing questions.
1. To add another boat on the water, the race committee can set up the race course and then race their own boat. Here's how it works....
2. After the race course is set up the race committee will signal the other boats by horn that the countdown timer will start in ten minutes.
3. All boats racing should gather around the race committee's sailboat to watch for the start of the three minute countdown timer.
4. Each racer will keep their own time and report it to the race committee when they go into Windjammer.
5. If we have any Sunfish racing (and I expect some), they will start their count down clocks at the same time as the cabin boats, they will have 6 minutes before the start. They will report the order of placement to the race committee when they come back to Windjammer.

I would also like to add that we have acquired another good Sunfish and will make it available to any club member who would like to race. Hope to see everyone on the water. Let's make this a good year with lots of boats racing. I am working on getting names of people interested in crewing and any former racers that don't race anymore but would be willing to mentor a new racer.

NORM

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Memos from the Board of Directors...

To try to get more sail boats racing the board has decided that members who have Sunfish sailboats and want to race Sundays do not have to have a racing membership to do so. So get those Sunfish ready to sail and join us.

Remember to get your membership dues & application to our Membership Chairman, Steve Easterwood pronto. We would like to include the current roster in the next NewsLetter.

Our Welcome Aboard Party was announced in the first newsletter. It is Saturday, May 18 at 4 pm at Windjammer Point. Invite friends, neighbors & family who might be interested in sailing to our "kick off" sailing season party. Bring a snack to share, soda and beer will be provided and this is an event for the whole family. In case of bad weather, we will hold this party at Norm and Mary Jane West's home, 27 Royale Court.

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To start out the year, Race Committee assignments are:

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LSLSC OFFICERS FOR THE 2002 SEASON

Commodore: Norm West
Vice Commodore: John Heilmann
Secretary-Treasurer: Nancy Donley

Board Members:
3 Year Term: Karen LeBeau
2 Year Term: Vacant needs to be filled
1 Year Term: Duane Wall

Committee Chairmen:
Harbor Master: Ray Grossmann
Membership: Steve Easterwood
Social: Karen LeBeau
Race Committee: Don Allebach

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ON THE WATER BOAT SHOW WILL BE THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 8 & 9

We will need help in setting up on Fri. June 7, as well as Saturday and Sunday in serving refreshments, directing traffic and assisting the boat dealers and greeting the public to this event. All club members are asked to give time on at least one of these days to ensure a smooth running boat show. Call Ray Grossmann, and let him know how you can help! 561-4038 or email: joanray@.gte.net

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DR RULES - REMEMBER THE DR. RULES RACING QUIZ #1 IN THE LAST ISSUE. DID YOU COME UP WITH THE ANSWER TO THE PROTESTS? The starting situation involved Rule 17.1, Rule 19.1, and 19.2. Definition of 'Proper Course' and 'Mark'.

THE ANSWER: When B sails to leeward of A and establishes an overlap, Rule 17.1 applies however, there is no 'Proper Course' before the starting signal. B is therefore free to luff provided she gives A room.

After the starting signal, B cannot sail above her proper course. B's hail for room to tack at an obstruction is incorrect because Rule 19.1 does not apply at a starting mark surrounded by navigable water when boats are about to start. (See rule 19.2)

B's protest is disallowed. When B luffs, A correctly keeps clear but both her protests are disallowed. B's proper course in this particular case would include the right to luffin order to clear the race Committee Boat and start the race. (See definition of 'Proper Course') Although B touches the anchor line, she does not infringe rule 31.1 because the anchor line is not part ofthe mark. (See definition of 'Mark')