Events, News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #3 – May 20, 2025

Hi All!

Mother Nature just won’t give us a break!  Tuesday we’re looking at a cloudy day with a high of 58 degrees and breezy conditions of 10-20 mph ENE winds and an 80% chance of rain, even into the evening.  I am the Race Chair (🥶❄️❄️) with Dave Dunlap assisting on Jeff Daane’s pontoon boat.  We typically do not cancel until after 5 because we all know how the weather can change from the original forecast. After sailing we will go to Main Street Pub on Westnedge.

Last Tuesday there was a discussion about mid summer social activities, and how much fun our float parties used to be.  So, the ALCA FLOAT PARTY IS BACK this year!  Save the date for Sunday July 20th.  Paid members will receive details on upcoming details for this event.  In the meantime, let me know if you are on the lake and will be joining us via pontoon.  We need at least 5 boats to accommodate the non-lake members who will be attending.  

Just a reminder, if you have a question or comment – just reply to this email (to me), not the entire mailing list (as in reply to all),  unless you really want the whole fleet to receive your comment!

– Kathy 

ALCA Secretary 

News, Series Racing, Spring Series

Spring Series Week #2 – May 13, 2025

Good afternoon ALCA!

Seems that we are in a great weather pattern with all this warm weather – gardens are getting planted and the lake is starting to warm up!  Tuesday is our 2nd week of Spring Series, and we are looking at highs in the mid 70s with a 40% of scattered thunderstorms.  Winds will be from the east/southeast  at 5-10 mph, decreasing into the evening.  Our race chair is once again Win Larsen. 

Afterwards we will go to Main St Pub on Westnedge, and be prepared to sit outside if the conditions permit.  Also, thanks to all who came out last week and were patient with the staff getting used to our big group!  

Stay tuned to your email and Facebook for changes in tomorrow’s schedule!  

Kathy Rubino

ALCA Secretary 

News

Spring Series Week #1 – 5/6/25

Hello ALCA,

So have we had enough rain? Guess mother nature doesn’t think so, Tuesday’s forecast is for a high of 60 degrees, with (cold) NW wind 10-15mph and a slight chance of afternoon showers, maybe some lightning too.  Temps at racetime are predicted to be 58 degrees.  Win Larsen is race chair on his pontoon, with Margaret Larsen and Dave Dunlap as the Race Committee.  Stay tuned to your emails and Facebook to any changes in the schedule or cancellation.

New this year, we are trying out a new venue for Tuesday night sailing, at Main St Pub on Westnedge, which is on the opposite side of the street as Jac’s.  Trailer parking would be best on the south side of the property (by their new outdoor area that is a work in progress) or maybe at Jimmy Johns – talk to Wally, he’s parked there before when we met there one night last year when we were cancelled.  Address of Main St Pub is 7509 S Westnedge Ave, Portage.  

We have the indoor side area reserved unless it’s beautiful and nice to be outside – which is unlikely for tomorrow night!  See attached for our membership form – there may be some printouts at the landing and the bar as well.   

Stay tuned to emails and Facebook for any changes in the schedule or cancellation.

cya!

Kathy 

News, Uncategorized

Fleet Cat Trax for Sail

Attention Fleet:

Do you go to regattas?  If so, you realize how important it is to have cat tracks to easily move your catamaran through the sand/grass!  Many of you already have your own cat tracks, but for those of you who do not, we have a deal for you!  ALCA has decided (since most fleet members who regatta bring their own) to sell the fleet cat tracks.  These will fit H14, H16, H17, and H18, have new carpet on the cradles and are reasonably priced at $400 for fleet members (or best reasonable offer).  On the outside market, you can expect to pay at least $500 for these, and much more for a new pair.  Also, currently, new cat tracks are not available.  See the photos below.

Note:  In order to be eligible to purchase these for the great price of $400, your 2025 ALCA membership must be paid.

Contact me or Dave Stiemsma if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Kathy Rubino 

ALCA Cat Trax
ALCA Cat Trax for Sail
Just $400 for ALCA Fleet Member
Just $400 for ALCA Fleet Member
News

Spring Series 2025 – Week #1 May 6, 2025

Spring Series begins May 6th and runs through June 24th  (8 weeks).

Racing will be using the same format as previous years, Portsmouth A and Portsmouth B with a single start at 6:30 pm each week.

Watch this post for additional info regarding week #1 of Spring Series

News

ALCA Spring Kickoff Meeting Notes – 4/27/25

Hi Everyone!

ALCA held their Spring meeting at the taco party Sunday,
April 27th – it was so good to visit with everyone!   Thank you for those who were able to attend, and here’s a summary of what was decided at the meeting:

Spring Series:  May 6th through June 24th  8 weeks

Summer Series:  July 8th through August 26th  8 weeks

Racing will be using the same format, Portsmouth A and Portsmouth B with a single start at 6:30 pm each week

The fleet voted to raise the dues for racing members to $30 each.  Social membership dues will remain at $10.  The updated form is here. 

We decided to meet at Main St. Pub, on Westnedge after racing.  There should be plenty of parking – stay tuned on this subject for confirmation and weekly updates.  

Chance Winnie from Hobie Fleet 58 (Clark Lake) was in attendance (welcome Chance!) and encouraged any who are interested to come over to Clark Lake on certain Thursdays (dates will be listed as they are confirmed) and he as well as a few other members may race with us on some Tuesdays.  We discussed possible weekend events as well. 

A race Chairman sign up sheet was passed around and members volunteered for race chair.  Note: as Race Chair, it is your responsibility to find an available pontoon and staff for running the races.  

Finally the fleet will be selling the ALCA cat tracks – a separate email will be sent for details.

That’s it for now – get those boats and wetsuits ready, racing is starting next week!  Look for another email a week from today!

Kathy Rubino

ALCA Secretary 

Events, News, Series Racing

ALCA 2025 Kick-off Meeting – April 27, 2025

As we leave winter and the snow, it’s time to start thinking of sailing on Tuesday nights!  The ALCA Officers have scheduled the spring meeting for Sunday April 27th at our (Kathy & Dave’s) house on Long Lake in Portage.  The fleet will provide taco’s for an early Cinco de Mayo celebration, and it’s BYO adult beverage.  Dishes to pass are appreciated, and bring anything you’d want to go with tacos, toppings, snacks, slides or desserts.  Water, soft drinks and coffee will be available.  RSVP’s are appreciated, and if you can, let me know what you’ll be bringing. 

Where: Kathy and Dave’s on Long Lake:  5061 South Long Lake Dr.   Portage, MI

When:  Sunday April 27th

            2:30 pm – arrive, social time

            3:00 pm – meeting

            4:00 – 4:30 pm – dinner 

At the meeting we will discuss and decide our racing calendar, have committee boat and race chairmen sign-ups and will have membership forms available.  Please remember to bring cash or check for membership payments.  

We look forward to seeing you!

Kathy Rubino

ALCA Secretary 

p.s. This email is going out to members from last year, previous members and friends from prior years, as well as some new faces.  If we don’t see you at the meeting, on the water or hear back from you, you will be deleted from the list and not spammed weekly.  

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0186.JPG
Events, News

2024 Year End Awards Banquet Info & RSVP

Our year-end dinner/celebration is Sunday September 22 at 5:00pm at La Cantina in Paw Paw.  If you were at our last get together at Jac’s, you may have seen the limited menu that Julie L and I selected.  This menu is included below. We ask that you RSVP with either a yes or no – by replying to this email, along with your dinner selections and if you want to add a side salad.  We have the back of the restaurant to ourselves, and later, we will have our trophies/gifts/meeting in the room downstairs.  Fleet-provided appetizers will be provided soon after 5pm, so be sure to arrive on time!

Again, simply reply to this email by no later than Monday September 16th with your RSVP.  

Weather permitting, our commodore Wally Elsner has offered to host a bonfire not far away.  If you want to attend,  BYOB and your own chair.  

Let me know if you have any questions – 

Kathy  – ALCA Secretary 

ALCA Year End Banquet Meal RSVP
ALCA Year End Banquet Meal RSVP
News

ALCA Year End Banquet & Awards

  • When: Sunday, September 22, 2024
  • Where: La Cantina in Paw Paw
  • When: 5 – 8 PM

The year end party is Sunday September 22.  We are set for dining at La Cantina in Paw Paw, and the appetizers will be served shortly after 5.  We will have limited menu options – and we ask that you select your dinner with your RSVP.  Fleet will provide the appetizers (pizza and antipasto plate).  Nonmembers are welcome to join us, however, we are asking for a $5 donation to the fleet to help cover the cost of the appetizers.  

News

Summer Series Week #8 – August 27, 2024

UPDATE: Racing Cancelled for the night see you at Jac’s!

Hi Fleet, 

Tuesday marks our last day of racing for the 2024 Summer Series.  Dave Stiemsma is our Race Chair with Gail on Race Committee.  Also, very special guests are planning to be out with the race committee – Jim and Kathy Kuk, who are former Fleet 519 sailors and former Austin L residents.   Tomorrow is predicted to be the hottest day of the year – with temps in the mid 90s, hot and humid.  The “feels like temperature” is predicted to be in the 100s, and we are under a heat advisory, so everyone, take care and be sure to stay hydrated!   The wind forecast is for SW winds, 10-15 mph decreasing to 5-10 mph.  We go to Jac’s after racing for results.  There is a slight chance of thunderstorms, but they’re supposed to not be an issue until after 9pm.  Let’s hope they stay away so we can sail!  

Ahoy hoy

I was asked by race committee to remind you all to B vigilant of the course number and make sure you have your course sticker handy.  If you need one come see me I’ll be at the landing at 5pm.

Fair winds Wall-E Elsner – Commodore

We mentioned that the year end party is Sunday September 22.  We are set for dining at La Cantina in Paw Paw, and the appetizers will be served shortly after 5.  We will have limited menu options – and we ask that you select your dinner with your RSVP.  I may be able to get some printed tomorrow so anyone who wants to RSVP early with their menu selections can do so.  Fleet will provide the appetizers (pizza and antipasto plate).  Nonmembers are welcome to join us, however, we are asking for a $5 donation to the fleet to help cover the cost of the appetizers.  

Cya Kathy Rubino – ALCA Secretary