2012 Great Pond - Great Times- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/17/2012 - 07:24 ] # As many of you
know, my family and I have moved from the shores of Western Lake Erie to
the somewhat land-locked area of Southern Ohio. We've been about 10
months on there and it has its unique benefits. My daughters have
adjusted nicely and my wife is fully engulfed in her career. For me,
most of what I do these days involves flying to where I need to work, so
it has worked out well.
This winter, Laurie and I
decided that we needed a spot to help us with our sailing fix on a
regular basis, so we joined the Cowan Lake Sailing Association, in
Wilmington, Ohio. The lake is, well, small. It is challenging sailing,
to say the least. There is no "mastering" the local knowledge, just
avoiding catastrophe. For my family, it will provide the perfect venue
to pack a cooler with dinner and go for an evening cruise mid-week. more...
Sailing
|  | | Game Day Preparation- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/17/2012 - 07:21 ] # Game Day Preparation - Highlander Style
I try to approach every
race day with the same routine. This eliminates confusion and
unnecessary anxiety. It doesn't always work out, but at least I give it
a go every time.
Pre-event I have a solid
understanding of the upcoming conditions day-by-day. I get this from a
number of resources. I have apps on my iPad and have an annual
subscription to a weather service. All the information is viewed as
"general" background info as the bigger the events, the more likely
you'll find the "its never like this here" syndrome.
Once organized, I share my
expectations with my teammates, along with a snapshot at a daily
routine. NORs & SIs are typically produced early, so it is good to
get an idea of when you'll target to leave the dock, etc. At this
point, we try to outline daily responsibilities, like lunches, drinks,
dinner reservations, etc. more...
Sailing
| | | What Mode are you in?- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/17/2012 - 07:20 ] #
Point mode, or Foot mode? Know when to use it and how!
The Thistle is an
incredibly forgiving boat. With a few inches of sheet adjustment, you
can feel the boat wanting to make its own move! Recognizing this "feel"
is very important in allowing the boat to carve its path upwind!
To preface, let's establish
the terms. "Point Mode" is the upwind point of sail that has you
positioning the boat closest to the wind without losing significant
speed, also known as pinching. Conversely, "Foot Mode" is the point of
upwind sail that is lower than optimum, but not so low that you have
your outside telltails stalling.
The range between Point and
Foot is your "groove". Depending on your set up, you can have a large
groove or a very fine groove....fine being 3-5 degrees and large being
5-7 degrees. You can see we are very finite in our definition, but the
idea of this article is to get you to understand the modes and then put
them into action on the race course. Setting up your boat for the
groove that fits you is easy to do and your sailmaker can certainly help
with some tuning guidelines. more...
Sailing
| | | Cell Phones and Chart Plotters, Working Together- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/17/2012 - 07:16 ] # 
Your pocket communicator can complement your chart plotter – in fact, it can even talk to it.
Got both a cell phone and a chartplotter? Well,
if both are WiFi and Bluetooth capable, you’re at the forefront of
electronic navigation. Between these two modern devices navigation is a
breeze, and these days, they can even work together to get you from
point A to point B. more...
Technology
| | | 10 Tips for Choosing Marine Stereos- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/17/2012 - 07:15 ] # 
Marine stereos fail regularly, have poor sound
quality, and rarely live up to expectations—know these 10 tips, however,
and you’ll be able to choose and install your next stereo wisely.
Take these 10 tips for choosing marine stereos to heart, or
there’s a good chance that the expensive sound system you install on
your boat will soon be croaking instead of crooning. 1. Never buy anything that says “marinized.” This is code for saying
it’s an automotive system with a spray-coated circuit-board, which is
being marketed to boaters. Chances are it won’t last long in the marine
environment.
2. Mount the head unit belowdecks whenever possible. Then put a
waterproof remote at the dash. That will extend the life of the stereo
significantly, even though the remote may need replacement every season
or two. more...
Other
| | | Grand Slam Match Racing Series expands internationally- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/17/2012 - 07:09 ] # 
Grand Slam Match Racing Series 2012
qualifying events start this weekend in Chicago and Oyster Bay, New
York. After last year's successful debut, organizers from the Chicago
Match Race Center (CMRC), Bayview YC (BYC), Manhasset Bay YC (MBYC) and
Oakcliff Sailing have expanded their international slate of teams to
compete in this year's Grand Slam Match Racing Series.
In
all, teams from eight countries will be represented in this year's
series of four consecutive ISAF Open Grade 2 events: Australia, Canada,
Denmark, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, US Virgin Islands, and throughout
the US.
'What began last year as a series to promote the growth
of match racing in the US has grown to be a major international
series,' said Oakcliff Sailing's Executive Director Dawn Riley. 'The
requests for invitations for our event have come in early and hot, with
only a few spots remaining.' more...
Sailing
| | | Even Man's Best Friend Needs A Life Jacket- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/16/2012 - 17:04 ] # ANNAPOLIS, Md.,
May 16, 2012 - It doesn't take National Safe Boating Week (May 19-25) to
remind us that life jackets are important, even for man's best friend.
But no matter water dog or a lap dog, the life jacket has to be
right-sized - so how will you know it fits? The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety
has released "Foundation Findings #52," the latest boating safety
equipment product testing series now chronicled in the June/July 2012 BoatUS Magazine, "It's a Dog's Life (Jacket)." more
Other
| | | Runner up at USA Olympic Trials- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/16/2012 - 06:52 ] # We have just finished up the final part of our winner takes all US
trials and we finished second. We a very disappointed with how this
event turned out, but want to say congratulations and good luck to Anna,
Molly, and Debbie for winning the event and getting the opportunity to
represent the USA at the Olympic Games this summer.
The event started with a semi final round where we raced Genny
Tulloch and team. We knew going into this series that it was going to be
a battle, and it was exactly what we expected. The first day ended with
us narrowly beating her in the last race of the day, to bring the
series to 3-2, her lead. more...
Sailing
| | | Learn to sail in 2-1/2 days- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/16/2012 - 06:46 ] #
Ever wanted to learn about sailing, but didn’t want to shell out the bucks for private lessons? The
Lake Norman Yacht Club has the perfect solution: the second annual
Discover Sailing weekend May 25-27 at the club’s facilities on Yacht
Road in Mooresville. The 2-1/2-day event will cover the basics of
sailing with both classroom and on-the-water sessions. All classes will
be led by U.S. Sailing-certified instructors. “The primary thing
we’re trying to do is promote the sport of sailing in central North
Carolina,” said Mike Robinson, who chairs the club’s Discover Sailing
committee. “We’re really trying to promote people rediscovering
the great outdoors, sailing being just a small part of that. … It’s not a
membership pitch at all. It’s really all about getting people up to
speed on sailing in 2-1/2 days.” more...
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/14/3227620/learn-to-sail-in-2-12-days.html#storylink=cpy
Sailing
| | | Summer sailing in Chicago's harbors- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/16/2012 - 06:46 ] # By Matthew Schwerha Unlike cities that are land-locked, Chicago has the unique distinction
of Lake Michigan to provide summer entertainment. Lake Michigan, made
possible by the 10 harbors located up and down the shore, is quickly
populated with boats for the summer months.
The official Chicago boating season runs from May 1-Oct. 31, while
early entry permits allow some people out on the water, starting April
1.
“When the weather got warm, people were jumping the gun and getting
out,” said Guy Whitney, an employee of Montrose Harbor. “Then it cooled
off a little bit, but the last couple of days people have been getting
out steadily.” more
Sailing
| | | New Boater-Assistance Service Opens on Lake Superior- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/15/2012 - 04:23 ] # Black Warrior Marine in Bayfield, Wisconsin, Joins the BoatUS Fleet
BAYFIELD,
Wis., May 14, 2012 - Capt. Tucker Culberson, who has been boating on
Lake Superior since he was a young boy, has turned his passion for
Northern Wisconsin waters into a career. Culberson earned his USCG
captain's license when he was still in high school and has been working
on boats ever since. Now he has launched his own business, an
on-the-water towing service that will be a boon to boaters who need a
jumpstart, run out of fuel, have a mechanical breakdown or run aground. more
Other
| | | The Life of a Middle-Aged Boat And What to Do About It- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/11/2012 - 17:17 ] # ALEXANDRIA, Va.,
May 11, 2012 - With people, middle age begins at around 40. With boats,
it's about the 10-year mark. And for both, it signals a time when age
begins to show. But that doesn't mean life is slowing down - only that
more effort is needed to stay in shape. With decade-old boats, that
means taking a hard look at things that haven't been checked out over
the years. BoatUS has these nine "middle age" maintenance tips on
boats: more
Other Powerboating Sailing
| | | IT'S ALL ABOUT THE B.O.D.! The Bayiew One Design Regatta that is!- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/11/2012 - 17:15 ] # The ALL NEW B.O.D. will be held June 1st through June 3rd, 2012 on Lake St. Clair.
Highlights include:
- 4 Courses - closer locations - including one directly in front of the club for lawn spectator viewing
- Live Music each day from 4:00 p.m. to Midnight
- Class Sponsored Events
- A la Carte dinner and late food stations throughout the evening
- Daily and Overall Awards
- Moth Races
- Plenty of safe parking for you and your crew
- Valet Parking during the party
SAVE THE DATE!
more...
Events Sailing
| | | Michigan Boating Industries Association encourages safe boating practices during National Safe Boating Week May 19-25- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/11/2012 - 17:14 ] # May
9, 2012, Livonia, Mich. - National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25, raises
annual awareness of safe and responsible boating in Michigan. According
to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), there are
almost 3,300 miles of Great lakes coastline, more than 10,000 inland
lakes and 36,000 miles of rivers and streams in Michigan. Michigan
competes with other top states such as Florida, California and
Minnesota, as one of the ideal locations to register a boat. more
Events
| | | 50 Years of Icebreaker – Paul Reilly Wins Big Scow Event- Editor H2ONotes [ 5/8/2012 - 07:13 ] #  Cedar Lake, Indiana has been the site for the famous Icebreaker C
scow regatta. Every spring sailors travel from around the USA to visit
this fantastic regatta. This year was the 50th anniversary and over 40
boats were in attendance.
In 1962 Lou Morgan from Lac Labelle,
Wisconsin won the very first Icebreaker Championship racing his C named
Hull No. Fifty years later another C scow legend won the Icebreaker
event: Paul Reilly from Big Cedar Lake, Wisconsin. Reilly popped open a
brand new Melges C for the season and was out of the box fast with a
1-3-1 scorecard to win! Bob Biwer from Pewaukee was 2nd, Mark Smith from
Okauchee was 3rd, Tim Schmidt from Okauchee was 4th and Andrew Bohl
from Lake Beulah was 5th. more...
Sailing
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