Gold Country Yacht Club a little dinghy Volume 24, Issue 10 Special Points Of Interest Soundings From The Poop-deck October Sheepies, Greekies, Rocks, and Ruins.. Oh My! Buti s do Goo Goo Ga Gah Letters to the editor: Mike or Jean Hauser 749 Maltman Dr Grass Valley, CA 95945 Or send email to: mike@gvblueprint.com Inside this issue:. Wind from Willow Well our lake season is winding down and now thoughts turn to winter projects and things other than sailing, bummer. I look at it this way, it gives us time to do all those tasks that we can t or won t find time for when the weather is nice. We will be meeting at the pizza parlor for the winter as a reminder to all. Another reminder, please bring in all perpetual trophies as they need to be reassigned. The one trophy that hasn t been given out for the last couple of years is the sailing sportsman of the year award; this is a US Sailing award, so if you have any thoughts, bring them with you to the next meeting and hopefully we can honor someone from our club this year. Hugh tells me that the club house and the barge have been put away for the winter, good job Hugh, so winter must really be coming. Another good job and thanks to the crew that helped out at the flea market, a rather successful fund raising. See you all at the meeting Oct. 12 th at Larry and Lenas Pizza. Soundings Bruce Cutshall Vice Commodore Lund Membership.. 1 2 The Blochs do Greece Racing 4 3 Vice Commodore -Jeffery Lund Letters From the Editors Aideau mon ami 4 Secretaries Report 5 Port Captain 5
PAGE 2...A LITTLE DINGHY VOLUME 24 ISSUE 10 At Our Helm Membership/Publicity Chairperson Commodore Bruce Cutshall 477-1709 bruce@comprepco.com Vice Commodore Jeff Lund 477.1208 jeff@sierranetworks.com Secretary Karen Fellows 273-7424 Treasurer Jean Cutshall 477.1709 bruce@comprepco.com Cruise Chairmen Meet our new members! Michael & Laura Lester And our newest (and youngest) member to GCYC: Trevor Wayne Buti Born September 1, 2005 at 7:18am 7lbs. 8oz., 20in. long. He s already talking about all the sailing he gets to do now (well dad is talking about it more!) He hopes to make it to this months meeting we ll see! Welcome to our club! We are excited to have you as new members. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Don Samuelson-Gary Wade Publicity/Membership Beth Buti 273.5911 bcbuti@yahoo.com Port Captain Hugh Talman 272.2344 Race Chairman Jerry Lewis 305 0533 jml@usamedia.tv Newsletter Editors Mike & Jean Hauser 273.8835 mike@gvblueprint.com Junior Sailing Lynn Buchanan 470-0511 lynn@sailynn.com
Our Greek Sailing Vacation, September 2005 Dave Bloch & Speranza Avram We re just back from a fantastic two weeks in Greece. The first parts of the trip were cultural and historical three nights in Athens and then two at Meteora, where Byzantine monasteries were built on top of massive Yosemite-style rocks and cliffs. Club Leda from our patio But the main part of our vacation was at the Sunsail Club Leda sailing resort, at the southern end of the Pelion Peninsula on the Pagasitic Gulf. This is a small resort with only 67 rooms, but that small size makes it very friendly and you get to have lots of one-and-one contact with the staff. The size also makes it easy to make friends with other guests, all of whom were British. Sunsail (www.sunsail.com) flies their UK customers down to the city of Volos on a chartered plane, and then brings them by direct bus from the airport. We had come by bus and taxi from Meteora and would also have to find our own way back to Athens for our flight home at the end. Windsurfers & small dinghies Although small, Club Leda has a great selection of windsurfers, dinghies, Hobies and yachts, all included in the resort price. The smaller equipment is kept on the shore; you just ask and a staff member hauls it down to the beach and rigs it up for you. Larger dinghies and the Hobie Cats are moored offshore so the staff takes you out in one of the Zodiac safety boats. We tried our hand at a Sport 16 and learned very quickly how fast things can happen in these little boats in a Force 3 or 4 wind. But they re lots of fun! (And the safety boats are always watching for any problems; they get to anyone capsizing in a minute.) The yachts are all built for Sunsail by Dufour; there are six 30 s and a 33. We started our nine days with a 3-full-day class (this was an extra cost option) on one of the 30 s. There were four of us plus the instructor, so everyone had ample opportunity to steer, run the main and jib, handle the anchor and operate the engine. We did basic navigation, knots, and the mandatory MOB drill. (We went that one better, fishing out a black baseball cap dropped by one of the crew in a Force 4 wind!) We were sailing in a bay created by the fishhook shape of the Pelion Peninsula, so we felt well protected even with those good winds coming in off the Aegean Sea. The three-day class gives you the right to skipper a yacht for a day sail. With only the seven available (and some often being used for classes), they do a lottery, and each skipper has the option of taking other folks on as crew. The system was rather mysterious, but we succeeded in getting one of the yachts the day after we finished our class. With two other couples, we motored out across the bay along with three other boats in what Sunsail calls a mini-flotilla. The winds were calm in the morning so we ended up just motoring, but there was lots of time to head off to a small cove for some swimming and still make it across the bay for lunch with the group at an outdoor taverna. (A Greek taverna is a small bar/restaurant with good food and low prices Sort of like a French bistro, but with olives.) Moored dinghies, and the safety boats Coming back was under full sail, with Force 3 and 4 winds nearly the whole way. We took the full 2-1/2 hours allotted, going back towards where we had been in the morning and making lots of tacks just for practice. We got the boat up to 7 knots several times that became something of a goal throughout the afternoon. (How far do you let er heel over before letting out the main? It was a test of nerves we d never had with our O Day 20 on Scott s Flat Lake.) We took this trip with the goal of really expanding our sailing skills and experience, and we re happy to say we did that; we plan to start taking classes for our ASA certifications next year. We give Sunsail five stars for Club Leda; the staff, equipment and accommodation were all excellent! (The included meals -- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners -- were good too; a bit less spicy than we like, but this is primarily a UK clientele, after all.) We hope to see Club Leda again! LOTS MORE PHOTOS at: http://www.sierraretreat.com/clubleda
Racing News Race Chairman-Jerry Lewis Letters From the Editors Mike & Jean Hauser For Sale I ve been told for a long time that the two happiest moments in a sailors life are when you buy a boat and again when you sell it. I ve never felt really happy about selling any boat we ve owned. Jean and I have enjoyed each and every one of them for the fun we ve had, the racing we ve done and the memories we ll always own. But... It s time for us to downsize and simplify our boating toys. Capri 22 for Sale Racing News for October: The Fun for Fall dinghy series continued Sunday with five boats hitting SFL on October 2nd. The fifth in the scheduled six Fun for Fall series race dates was originally scheduled for Saturday, October 1st, but as it was overcast, threatening rain, windy and folks had other plans - the race date was rescheduled for Sunday. Weather started sunny with light breezes, but then it clouded up and the winds picked up, shifted, lulled, then gusted, and then more sunshine and zephyrs as the wind faded with the clouds. Four Lido 14s and a Bucanner 18 raced 'reverse pursuit' on the three "A" windward/leeward courses around the lake. In all three races, after 30 or 40 minutes of dodging holes and hanging on in gusts, all boats finished within a minute of each other, some within a few seconds. The four Lidos all started at the normal "0" point on the five minute countdown, and the Bucaneer 18 started 2:26 later (it's handicap says for 2.0 miles, it should be 2:26 faster than the Lidos). Close racing all around, with each boat in contention and probably in the lead at some point in the racing, with many lead changes due to the shifty conditions and how the wind worked in one race was very different the next race. All had fun, no one capsized (well, except at the dock, ask Jeremy about disembarking his Lido), only one boat was seen bailing (ask Jerry how far Lidos can lean before the water comes in over the side), and we may need to recalculate our handicapping for the Bucaneer (ask Pierre about catching the Lidos about halfway around the course in 2 out of 3 races). Participants included John and Chris Palmer, Jerry Lewis, Jeremy Gicker, and Nic Odor and friend (sorry, don't remember her name) on Lido 14s with Pierre Chatelain and friend (again, sorry don't remember her name) on the Bucaneer. Next race is scheduled Sunday, October 9th. But then, if the lake stays full, the weather fair, there could be even more fun this fall after the scheduled race dates. Stay tuned for possibly extended fun fall season. The boat has bags of sails, tons of cushions and is equally suited for cruising as racing. Radio, Porto potty, electronic depth & speedo. The rigging is in fine shape as is the hull. The trailer has brand new tires and a spare as well as hydraulic brakes. There are more do-das, twinger s and tweekers than we have space to list or define but be prepared to bring your truck.. We ll toss in vinyl graphics for your boats name. $4800. We will consider partial trade for?? Your up sizing to our downsizing. Lets talk. Mike Hauser... mike@gvblueprint.com, 273.8835 days, 268.3436.eve.
Port Captain s Corner Ahoy from Hugh Port Captain Hugh Talman Well, Fall is here and we have accomplished some end-of season chores. With help from David Cowell and Peirre Catelain, the barge and Sunfish are now stowed for the season, and the club house is wrapped up for the Winter. No more meetings at the lake until about June, 2006. Scott s Flat still has some water (the most for this time of year than I can remember), so get your sailing in before the rain starts. The winds have been good, too. Last week I was out there with four other boats, and it was gusting up to 25. We were flying around the lake! I have been asked to head up the nominating committee for the 2006 Board of Directors, so I will bring a slate of new officers to the October general meeting. If anyone is interested in running for office, come to the meeting at Larry and Lena s Pizza Parlor and we will place your name on the ballot. After serving three years as Port Captain, two years as Vice Commodore and two years as Commodore, I will be retiring from the Board of Directors and hoping for our new members to step up and help this club grow to the next level. I will still be available to help out, but we have a lot of people with good ideas and I hope we will take advantage of them. Thank you to all of the members (too numerous to mention) who have helped me accomplish my goals for the Gold Country Yacht Club.... Sail on Sailors Hugh Secretaries Report - Karen Fellows September 14,2005 Gold country Yacht club general Meeting Called to order by Commodore Bruce Cutshall Minutes approved as published in the newsletter. Treasurer report given by treasurer Jean Cutshall Vice commodore Jeff Lund No report Junior sailing: Bruce said much thanks for the rack to house the Sunfish boats. Also thanks to Pierre for helping with the Junior Sailing program. Pierre plans to do the program again in 2006. Cruising Chairman Don Samuelson announced that he is getting ready to calculate the points towards the cruising award for 2005. Port Captain Hugh Talman Suggested to watch over the Dinghy Dock when you are at the lake now that the waters are getting low. It takes little to move the dock out to the water if done before it goes aground. The subject of extra Sunfish that are not needed for the JR Sailing program came up. A Brief Board meeting was held to determine what action to take as this is a matter to be decided by the elected board. The board announced that an offer will be made to the general membership. None were sold. They will be offered to the general public at the upcoming Flea Market. The Flea Market will be Sept 5 and will be chaired by Hugh Talman and David Cowl. Items and help are needed for this event. Secretary Karen Fellows announced it is time to begin planning the Christmas Party. Tish Buti and Susan Murphy will chair the Christmas Party Committee. Tish Buti announced that the Catalina Nationals Organizational meeting will be held Sept 21 2005 at her home. Agenda for the meeting is Notice of Race. New Business. It is time for Nominating next years Board members. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Hugh Talman. The Book Exchange is in need of donations and all are encouraged to take advantage of this collections of Sailing literature. Raffle prize was donated by the Lunds was won by Lora Lester. Next meeting will be at Larry and Lina's Pizza Parlor. Meeting Adjourned at 8:00PM by Commodore Bruce Cutshall
October 2005 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 November 2005 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 30 31 General Meeting October 12th Larry & Lena s Pizza General Meeting November 9th at Larry & Lena s Pizza October 1st & 9th Small Boat Fun Races ATTENTION: OUR MEETING THIS MONTH WILL BE AT :Larry & Lena s Pizza October 12th -7:00pm. Gold Country Yacht Club P.O. Box 813 Grass Valley, CA 95945 Phone (530)273-7819 Email: bruce@comprepco.com We re on the Web! Look for us at - www.nccn.net/~gcyc