Tag Archives: Portage MI

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

Summer Series Week #10 – september 7, 2021 cancelled

Due to the increasingly volatile weather and high winds, racing for the last night of the Summer Series of 2021 has been cancelled.

We ARE still planning on getting together at Patrick & Peggy’s house for pizza, campfire and comradery. The new time will be 7 PM Tuesday, September 7th. Patrick & Peggy’s address was in the email sent to all registered members. There will be a charge of $5+ dollars for pizza and other items furnished. Everyone should bring their beverage of choice.

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 #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)!

Events, News, Series Racing

summer series week #6 – August 10, 2021

Tuesday’s forecast is for SW winds around 9 mph with temps in the upper 80’s and only a 20% chance of storms….looking good!  Andy Lenczycki is scheduled to be our race chair – thanks Andy!  And thanks to our PRO for putting together that course document I sent yesterday!  if you missed it, look at last weeks post (the document is linked). 

If we sail, Andy may be taking pictures by drone to be used for the next multi-year trophy base. If you want to be in the picture, Tuesday would be a good night to be present.

Year-End party plans are shaping up!  We are looking at having it outdoors, possibly at Main St. Pub on Westnedge on either Saturday September 25th or Saturday October 2nd.  We need your input if you plan to attend:  Which of these Saturdays work best for you?  Please let us know, either by replying to me (not reply to all) with your choice or let us know at Brewster’s tomorrow. 

Speaking of Brewster’s, attendance was extremely low last week after cancellation, so in the event of a cancellation, we will be releasing the room.  Enjoy the evening with your loved ones or gather at a place of your choice.  

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 (particularly from race 1 to race 2)

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).

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!

– Kathy

News, Series Racing

Summer Series Week #5 – racing cancelled

Sorry to kill the good vibe for Summer Series sailing, but racing for Week #5 – August 3, 2021 is cancelled due to low to NO wind!

We will be meeting at Brewster’s between 6:30-7 PM. If you get a chance look at the info for expanded race course offerings that was posted earlier today. Any of the experienced skippers can help answer any questions regarding this tonight, because we anticipate using some of the upwind finish race courses next week.

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 

News, Series Racing

summer series week #3 – July 20, 2021

Hello All, 

For week #3 of the Summer Series, the forecast is calling for temps in the low 80’s, sunny, winds are forecasted to be around 10, gusting to 15 out the NorthWest.

Brewsters after sailing! Please be patient with the staff as well. 

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, we will make a decision by 5pm.  As a clarification from the PRO, weather – related cancellations will be made as soon as can be, based on the current conditions and not necessarily by 5pm.   

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

Fair Winds-