All posts by Walt Elsner

News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #2 – May 24, 2022

Ahoy,
Week 2 is upon us, last week had a small turnout but it was good sailing! 
The forecast is looking pretty good from here: forecasted air temps around 69 F, generally sunny winds ENE 10mph gusting 15 mph. Should make for a pretty good night of racing.  Water was warm enough last week but REMEMBER dress smart. Any potential cancellations will be communicated via email and facebook.
Race committee for the night will be Dave Dunlap on Jeff Danes Pontoon. Thanks in advance guys. Remember to check in with Race Committee once you are on the water and notify them of any changes from how you are registered.  
After sailing (or in the event of a cancellation) we will be meeting at Jac’s Cekola’s Portage  https://jacscekolaspizza.com/ I would encourage people with boats to park either in the back or to the north (by Habitat or Colonial Kitchen) 7640 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 https://goo.gl/maps/Fe9YfKVtfKPeeiKJA

—
Fair Winds
Walter (Wall-E) ElsnerALCA Fleet 519 Secretary 

News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #1 – May 17, 2022

Hello everyone, 
Well it’s FINALLY here! Our spring season starts Tomorrow (Tuesday, May 17, 2022)!!!! This week may not be as warm as last but the forecast is looking pretty good from here reports of water temps in the mid 60s and forecasted air temps to be about the same, generally sunny winds WNW pretty steady right around 10 mph. should make for a pretty good night of racing. REMEMBER it’s still very much wetsuit weather so dress smart. Any potential cancellations will be communicated via email and facebook.
Race committee for the night will be Dave Dunlap on Jeff Daanes Pontoon. Thanks in advance guys. Remember to check in with Race Committee once you are on the water and notify them of any changes from how you are registered.  
After sailing (or in the event of a cancellation) we will be meeting at Jac’s Cekola’s Portage  https://jacscekolaspizza.com/ I would encourage people with boats to park either in the back or to the north (by Habitat or Colonial Kitchen)7640 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002 https://goo.gl/maps/Fe9YfKVtfKPeeiKJA

If I missed anything or have more information for you stay tuned. —
Fair Winds
Walter (Wall-E) ElsnerALCA Fleet 519 Secretary CRAM H-16 Fleet Captain

Water Temp update… Jerry Mohney says he’s got 74 degrees at the end of his dock!!! 

News, Series Racing, Spring Series

ALCA Sailing Reminders

Hello All,
I hope you are all as excited as I am. Tuesday May 17th is our first day of racing for this year!!!
First start will be at 6:30 PM.  Stay tuned to your emails and our facebook page for potential cancellations as well as further updates and the “Weather According to Wall-E” prior to racing. 
However if you are like me you may also find yourself with some last minute boat projects to get done! Below is a very good Safety checklist put together by Dave Stiemsma to go through before you consider hitting the water. This is of course not all inclusive…
If you have ANY questions or are in search of parts please reach out!  
Let’s start with SAFETY (it’s no accident)–
Fair Winds
Walter (Wall-E) ElsnerALCA Fleet 519 Secretary CRAM H-16 Fleet Captain

Catamaran Sailing Checklist

Mast: If you leave your boat rigged with the mast up this may be the only chance you have to inspect the standing rigging for the season.
Check that the mast is straight, sight down the length of the mast with the groove up and you can pull the halyard tight to give you a nice line of sight. Be sure the mast is sealed, any loose rivets can create a leak. You might be able to hear the water rush when the mast is lifted from level. Inspect the top pulley, it should be free to turn. Comp tip mast head can easily be damaged and not allow the halyard crimp to pass. Also take a look at the hook/fork on top to be sure it’s not bent. Clean the sail track of debris by running a short piece of line with a knot in it, slide it end to end.
Cables:  Most cables break at or in between the crimps or swage. Look for an unnatural twist or bulge in the strands of the braid. Be sure the clevis at the top is assembled correctly and is tight. The screw should be locked with a wire or at least taped to prevent it coming loose. Don’t forget the bridle, bow tangs and hull anchor points, all should be tight.
Trapeze: Inspect the line for wear, replace often with a good quality line. Check the plastic stoppers as they are known to break. No worse feeling watching your boat sail away without you.
Mast Base: The rounded end should be smooth and free of burrs, check the righting pin and hardware. Be sure to use a good teflon chip and that it stays centered under the mast. In the event you lose your chip you can use a Gatoraid cap or 1/2 of a wiffle golf ball.
Righting Line: Be sure it’s long enough to do the job, it needs to be 14 foot or so, tied to the dolphin stryker and tossed up and over the hull. Use a diameter line that you can easily grip. If you have the elastic type that goes all the way around the boat be sure it is free of the shrouds.
Personal Gear: Don’t forget to check your wetsuit, boots, gloves and life jacket for proper fit and function.
Trailers: Be sure to check tire pressure (including spare), lights chains and wheel hubs (grease if need be) check your boat and mast is secured before putting on any miles and follow the 1,10,100 rule and check after 1 mile, 10 miles and 100 miles. 
More to come on tuning before Tuesday but if you have individual questions feel free to ask.
See you on the water, — Dave Stiemsma

News, Series Racing

2022 Sailing season starts may 17

Hello everyone.  Thank you to everyone who came to the spring meeting on April 23rd. It was a beautiful day and we discussed and made some very important decisions.  Dave Stiemsma did a great H16 boat tuning seminar (watch for his posted notes) using the two Hobie 16’s Dave Dunlap setup for the meeting. There was discussion and multiple proposals about either starting the sailing season later than our usual first Tuesday in May, ending the season before we get weeks into September (when we’re fighting for daylight), and/or combining the Spring and Summer Series into a single longer series. Members decided to do a shorter Spring and Summer series (7 and 8 week respectively), but to not start sailing until May 17th. This will still put us wrapping up our season by the end of August.

Our spring sailing season begins on Tuesday May 17th running until June 28th and lasting for 7 weeks.  We will have July 5th off for the holiday.  Our summer series will start July 12th and run through August 30th lasting 8 weeks, with the possibility of extending another week as make up if needed. 

We will be running Portsmouth A and B fleets with 1 start.
Two races per night, first start at 6:30 pm. 
Look forward to seeing everybody on the water. —
Fair Winds

News, Series Racing

Summer series Week #10 – September 7, 2021

Hello all,
This sadly is the last week of sailing. Mid 70s somewhat high chance of rain… We’ll see… Wind is currently forecasted to be 9-18 mph gusting 27-37 mph. So idk if it’s looking that good… 

But we are still planning to gather at Peggy & Patrick’s. Their address is in the email sent to all members. RSVP to Peggy at her email address. A $5 per person (minimum) contribution will be asked for from everyone for the pizza and payments can be made to Peggy via PayPal (her email) or Venmo (@Peggy-Wray) or pay Tuesday night. Rain or shine. Thanks! 
-fair winds

News, Series Racing

summer series week #9 – August 31, 2021

Well the fall is swiftly approaching – lets hope for some good sailing for the remainder of our season.
Tuesday’s forecast is high 70s with.  Winds NE 7 gusting 8 mph.
Race committee will be Win Larsen, Thanks in advance Win. 
The committee boat will have a small red ball buoy behind it as a Barging mark. it is to be treated as an extension of the committee boat and is to be avoided. IF we cancel we will NOT be gathering at Brewsters. 

Please remember we always sail at 6:30 on Tuesdays Unless RC cancels for weather related reasons.

FOR ANY CHANGES:

To help Statistician/Committee Boat please notify Statistician if your status differs from your membership’s registration:

1.    Skipper change

2.    Crewed or Solo

3.    Crew change

4.    Boat Type

5.    Sail Number

6.    A or B Portsmouth Fleet

Changes to be emailed to Statistician by 4:30 pmrace day.

Email: Andy Lenczycki (Statistician) Hobie480@yahoo.com

Not the preferred method: Late changes can be texted to the PRO.

Dave Dunlap (PRO) 269-330-5496, dadworksmi@gmail.com

RACE NIGHT:

1.    Please check-in with Committee Boat prior to starting sequence for attendance.

2.    If possible, notify Committee Boat if you are not finishing a race or retiring for the night.

3.    Notify Committee Boat if you are going to protest. PRO will let you know when / where protest will be heard.

see you on the water and Brewster’s afterwards!

News, Series Racing

summer series Week #8 – August 24, 2021

Hello All, 
Tuesday’s forecast – mid 80s with a low (20%) chance of rain. SW winds 5-8 gusting 8-11 mph.
Julie Lenczycki will be Race Chair again this week. Thanks Julie! The committee boat will have a small red ball buoy behind it as a Barging mark. it is to be treated as an extension of the committee boat and is to be avoided. IF we cancel we will NOT be gathering at Brewsters. 

Please remember we always sail at 6:30 on Tuesdays, unless RC cancels for weather related reasons.

FOR ANY CHANGES:

To help Statistician/Committee Boat please notify Statistician if your status differs from your membership’s registration:

1.    Skipper change

2.    Crewed or Solo

3.    Crew change

4.    Boat Type

5.    Sail Number

6.    A or B Portsmouth Fleet

Changes to be emailed to Statistician by 4:30 pmrace day.

Email: Andy Lenczycki (Statistician) Hobie480@yahoo.com

Not the preferred method: Late changes can be texted to the PRO.

Dave Dunlap (PRO) 269-330-5496, dadworksmi@gmail.com

RACE NIGHT:

1.    Please check-in with Committee Boat prior to starting sequence for attendance.

2.    If possible, notify Committee Boat if you are not finishing a race or retiring for the night.

3.    Notify Committee Boat if you are going to protest. PRO will let you know when / where protest will be heard.

see you on the water and Brewster’s afterwards!

News, Series Racing

summer Series Week #7 – August 17, 2021

Tuesday’s forecast is for ESE “wind” 3 gusting 4 mph with temps right around 80. Julie Lenczycki is scheduled to be our race chair – thanks Julie!  The committee boat will have a small red ball buoy behind it as a Barging mark (this is instead of the blue mark we have traditionally had). it is to be treated as an extension of the committee boat and is to be avoided. IF we cancel we will NOT be gathering at Brewster’s. 

Please remember we always sail at 6:30 on Tuesdays Unless RC cancels for weather related reasons.

FOR ANY CHANGES:

To help Statistician/Committee Boat please notify Statistician if your status differs from your membership’s registration:

1.    Skipper change

2.    Crewed or Solo

3.    Crew change

4.    Boat Type

5.    Sail Number

6.    A or B Portsmouth Fleet

Changes to be emailed to Statistician by 4:30 PM race day.

Email: Andy Lenczycki (Statistician) Hobie480@yahoo.com

RACE NIGHT:

1.    Please check-in with Committee Boat prior to starting sequence for attendance.

2.    If possible, notify Committee Boat if you are not finishing a race or retiring for the night.

3.    Notify Committee Boat if you are going to protest. PRO will let you know when / where protest will be heard.

see you on the water and Brewster’s afterwards (hopefully)!

Series Racing

summer series Week #5 – August 3, 2021

Hello All, 

For week #5, the forecast is calling for temps in the mid 70s mostly sunny, winds are forecasted to be around 2-3 mph gusting 3 mph out the NorthWest. Stay tuned for a potential cancellation. 🙁

Brewsters after sailing! If we cancel we will convene earlier (6:30-7:00)

Andy Lenczycki is RC for this week so thanks in advance for the effort Andy! 

Please remember we always sail at 6:30 on Tuesdays Unless RC cancels for weather related reasons.

FOR ANY CHANGES:

To help Statistician/Committee Boat please notify Statistician if your status differs from your membership’s registration:

  1. Skipper change
  2. Crewed or Solo
  3. Crew change
  4. Boat Type
  5. Sail Number
  6. A or B Portsmouth Fleet

Changes to be emailed to Statistician by 4:30 PM on race day. Email: Andy Lenczycki (Statistician) Hobie480@yahoo.com

Not the preferred method: Late changes can be texted to the PRO. Dave Dunlap (PRO) 269-330-5496, dadworksmi@gmail.com

RACE NIGHT:

1.    Please check-in with Committee Boat prior to starting sequence for attendance.

2.    If possible, notify Committee Boat if you are not finishing a race or retiring for the night.

3.    Notify Committee Boat if you are going protest. PRO will let you know when / where protest will be heard.

Coming up in September Hobie 17 NACs will be at Michigan City!  

Fair Winds-

News, Series Racing

summer series Week #4 – July 27, 2021

Hello All, 

For week #4 of the Summer Series, the forecast is calling for temps in the mid 80’s mostly sunny, winds are forecasted to be around 7 gusting to 12 out the NorthWest.

Brewsters after sailing! 

Jerry Mohney is RC for this week so thanks in advance for the effort Jerry! 

Please remember we always sail at 6:30 on Tuesdays Unless RC cancels for weather related reasons.

Remember to email Andy Lenczycki, Statistician if you are sailing with someone other than what you registered as (different skipper, different crew, going 2 up to Solo boat or vice versa, different sail No, different boat)! Waiting to notify him at Brewster’s really slows down the whole process and it then needs to be done at least twice!

Fair Winds-

Walter Elsner