Category Archives: News

News items related to fleet activity.

ALCA 2024 KICKOFF MEETING & PARTY

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Happy End of Winter Everyone!

As we say hello to spring this week, it’s also time to start thinking of getting back on the water!  Our spring kick-off meeting will be held Sunday March 24th at our place on Long Lake.  The fleet will provide  pulled pork sandwiches and coleslaw; please bring an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share.  Water, soft drinks and coffee provided, BYO adult beverages.  

Where: Kathy Rubino and Dave Dunlap’s house on Long Lake

             5061 South Long Lake Drive, Portage

When:  March 24th Sunday 

             2:30 pm – arrive, social time

             3:00 pm – meeting starts

             4:00 – 4:30 pm – dinner

At the meeting, we will discuss and vote on the by-law changes; the updated by-laws were sent out 2 weeks ago to 2023 members.  These changes were necessary since no one has stepped up to be a PRO, and describes the operation of the fleet without a PRO as an officer.  The revised by-laws describe the best solution the officers were able to come up with. 

We will also vote on the usual: 

  • sailing format
  • fleets
  • racing schedule. 

It’s time to renew your membership – remember to bring your checkbooks or cash for joining!  See the membership form – I will have these available at the meeting.  

RSVPs appreciated –  Hope to see most of you!  

Kathy Rubino – ALCA Secretary 

Reminder: Year End Banquet & Trophy Awards – Friday, October 6, 2023

The year end banquet and trophy distribution will be at Traveler’s Pub on Portage Road, Friday, October 6th.

– Cocktails/Happy Hour 6 pm – 7 pm Appetizers provided by fleet (don’t be late!)

– Dinner to follow

– Trophies/awards by Statistician

– Fleet meeting, thank-you’s and election of officers by Commodore

– weather permitting, bonfire at Dave and Kathy’s 

Fall Racing Opportunities

Ahoy Hoy, 

Just wanted to chime in and let everyone know that there are a few racing opportunities still this month. The first is with Fleet 126 in Michigan City this upcoming Saturday September 23rd with a rain date on Sunday. Please reach out to Michael Kucharski with any questions. 

Secondly, the final CRAM event of the year is in Muskegon on September 30th and October 1st CRAM Sailing – Muskegon Lake Regatta

Enjoy fall, and see you at the year end Party details to follow.

Fair Winds

Walter (Wall-E) Elsner

ALCA Fleet 519 Secretary 

Summer Series Week #8 – August 29, 2023

Ahoy hoy,

This is sadly our final week of racing this year. Temps looks to be in the low 70s with a small chance of scattered showers. BUT, as long as we don’t have any lightning we should be fine, getting wet won’t kill us. but we’ll continue to monitor the situation. Winds are forecasted to be glorious at 10 gusting 15 out of the NE. Assuming the weather stays fair we should have a great night!

Race Chair for the week is Michael Kucharski, Thanks in advance Mike! 

After sailing gathering at Kathy & Dave’s on Long Lake.  Burgers, hot dogs and chicken brats, chips, and water will be provided by the fleet.  BYOB and if you like, a snack, side, dessert to pass.  Assistance appreciated with the grilling.  Parking is available across the street, especially for early arrivers. The party is on even if we are cancelled. Weather permitting, will be outside with a bonfire, so dress accordingly.  

https://goo.gl/maps/GsP4c6NMq5hfz5jw5

5061 South Long Lake Dr, Portage
Kathy’s cell:  269-598-7817

Fair Winds

Walter (Wall-E) Elsner

ALCA Fleet 519 Secretary 

Update from Kathy Rubino – Fleet After Sailing Results & Get Together

For anyone getting to our place before either Dave or I get back, we are asking to be careful to not let our kitties out.  Patrick will be here, and kitties will be around waiting to sneak outside.  You are welcome to come into the house, enter through the grill porch (east side of house, left hand side if you are facing the house from the lake side).

Make yourself at home, have some snacks and we’ll see you soon!  

Kathy & Dave 

Summer Series Week #7 – August 22, 2023

Ahoy sailors! 

Week 7 is here! The weather looks good right around 80 and sunny, winds ENE Around 7-8 MPH. 

Should be a good night. 

Race Chair is Myself and Dave Dunlap on the Lenczycki pontoon.

Jacs, afterwards per usual. 

Fair Winds

Walter (Wall-E) Elsner

ALCA Fleet 519 Secretary 

Summer Series Week #6 – August 15, 2023

Ahoy! 

Week 6 is upon us already. Weather is looking decent at temps in the 70s and winds forecasted anywhere from 2-12 but it appears that there is a shift predicted around that time tomorrow, we’ll see if it comes in early or stretches out further. I’m also only looking at one model so who knows.

John Hayward is RC again this week! Thanks in advance, John! 

Jacs after as usual. 

We have a date set for our year end party/ awards banquet. It will be Friday October 6th at Travler’s Pub, further details in the coming weeks.

This Week CRAM held a Regatta in St. Ignace on Lake Huron. Wind was AMAZING the whole regatta we got 11 races in over the course of 3 days! ALCA was represented well with First place taken by myself and Lidsay, and third place taken by Michael Kucharski in the Hobie 16 Fleet.

Larry Maniak Took first place in the open Fleet on his A-cat. 

Fair Winds

Walter (Wall-E) Elsner

ALCA Fleet 519 Secretary 

Summer Series Week #5 – August 8, 2023

Good Morning, 

I believe we are on week 5, its tough when we skip a couple.. lol 

weather is looking good for Tuesday! Right around 80 Mostly sunny. winds forecasted to be 7-12 sustained gusting 14. should be a beautiful day!

John Hayward is our race chair! thanks John!!! 

Jacs after sailing! 

This weekend come join CRAM for st martins bay! CRAM Sailing – St. Martin’s Bay

Fair Winds Walter (Wall-E) Elsner

ALCA Fleet 519 Secretary 

Summer Series Week #4 – August 1, 2023

Ahoy all,

Week 4 is here! Hopefully we get more wind than last week. Weather is looking to be in the mid 80s and partly cloudy. The wind is looking a little light at the moment at about 4 mph out of the NNE. HOWEVER that forecast has DOUBLED since yesterday afternoon. So we’ll keep an eye on it and see if we can get something to work with. DO YOUR WIND DANCES!!! 

John Hayward is race chair, Thanks in advance John! 

Jacs afterwards for results, dinner and drinks.

Fair Winds

Walter (Wall-E) Elsner

ALCA Fleet 519 Secretary 

Summer Series Week #3 – July 25, 2023

Ahoy hoy, 

Welcome to week 3 everyone. Weather looks like upper 80s and sunny. Wind… looks pretty light depending what you look at, it may fill in like it did last week and be a great night of racing!. I think we need to do our wind dances a little tonight.

Race Chair is John Hayward! Thanks in advance John! 

Stay tuned for potential cancellation notices, in the event of a cancellation we will still meet at Jacs

Fair Winds – Walter (Wall-E) Elsner

ALCA Fleet 519 Secretary