August 1, 2016
It is hard to believe that August has arrived. This is probably the slowest month of the sailing season due to hot temperatures and light winds. For many, it may be a welcome break as July ushered in most North American Championships for one-design fleets. I was fortunate enough to participate in the Flying Scot NACs in Newport Rhode Island this year. It was a humbling experience with the large waves, strong current, and sea breeze between 15-30 mph all week long. While I had the time of my life, I could not help but appreciate that our little lake offers some pretty nice racing as well. My favorite conditions are on a cooler day with 7-10 mph winds. Generally in Indiana, these kind of days fall in the late spring and early fall.
It is amazing how the dynamic of the sailing experience changes so drastically in different locations. These differences also propagate different cultures. For instance, I was recently on a lake that had roughly 200 sailboats. While this may not seem so strange, the fact that 199 of the boats were of the same kind seemed strange. Can you even picture everyone having the same kind boat on Eagle Creek? Perhaps it was the secluded Appalachian Mountain environment which caused everyone to get the same boat. Perhaps it was the fact that these boats were manufactured just a few miles from that particular lake. Maybe no one wanted to “rock the boat” and get something different. At any rate, it has created a sailing culture that is very unique to that lake.
Speaking of unique; Our club, located in a quiet and unassuming spot, has developed an inclusive and easy going cruiser boat culture. I am not sure if it is more about sailing or socializing. I suspect the latter. Sure, we have some of the finest Beer Can racing around, but mostly it is about the camaraderie found at the “liars” table afterwards. I have been to many clubs around the country and never found one quite like ours. We don't have the greatest body of water to sail on, nor the finest facilities. What we do have is some of the coolest people you will ever meet, and a pretty decent oasis of fun that does not ruin our appreciation of other venues. Most importantly, we have spunk. That is all you need.
If you like spunk, you may enjoy helping to keep it going. We are looking for people interested in joining the board of directors. Please contact me at commodore@ecsail.org if you are interested in a position next year.
Perry Cameron
August 1, 2016
Hello fellow ECSC Sailors and Racers,
July has been a great month. Wednesday and Sunday races continue to be a blast. Temps are high, but so are water levels.
[caption id="attachment_1797" align="alignleft" width="211"]
Nick and Sheela Prepping for the Beach Party[/caption]
ECSC Regatta and Beach party proved to be one of our best Racing events of the year. Saturday had some great racing, but unfortunately Sunday the wind didn't quite cooperate and there were no races Sunday. Dr. Bob and his crew handled the Race Committee duties with expertise and we had some great racing Saturday. Nick Mates and his crew threw one of the best parties of the year. The band played until the wee hours and the dancing and singing was plentiful.
[caption id="attachment_1798" align="alignleft" width="293"]
Jeff and Sarah Hanson at the ECSC Beach Party[/caption]
Red Fleet was won by Nan Schulze in Dutch Mob, 2nd was Perry Cameron in Sublime, and Austin Graef finished third in Don't Panic. White/Blue Fleet was won by Rich Fox, 2nd went to Chuck and Nancy Goff, and third was Mark Walker. The green fleet was won by Geoff Endris.
[caption id="attachment_1799" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Racers at the Skippers Meeting[/caption]
On another note, Our club was represented for the first time ever in the Bayview Yacht club's annual race to Mackinac. This is a large yacht race from Port Huron, Michigan to Mackinac Island in Michigan. Club Member Tony ("Toe-Knee") Hubbard entered his John Alden Challenger. She is 38 feet long and was built in 1961 in England. Her home port is Sandusky, Ohio, but she proudly sailed for and displayed the Eagle Creek Sailing Club Burgee. Her crew included family, along with
[caption id="attachment_1803" align="alignleft" width="296"]
Integrity Charging towards the finish of the Bayview Mac Race[/caption]
extended sailing family. This included many former junior sailors that Tony has mentored over the past decades. Aboard for the race were Toe-Knee Hubbard, his sons Jason and Jacob Hubbard, Cam Borkowski, Barrett Rhodes, John Bergan, and myself - Rick Graef. Delivery crew also included Jim and Bonnie Wolfinger.
[caption id="attachment_1802" align="alignleft" width="235"]
Integrity proudly displaying her full colors[/caption]
The adventure began with a three day delivery from Sandusky to Put-in-Bay to Bayview Yacht Club, then on to Port Huron. After several days of race prep in Port Huron, Integrity began her first race in decades. We battled light air, medium air, and even squalls filled
[caption id="attachment_1807" align="alignleft" width="377"]
The view from aloft with lots of canvas in the air.[/caption]
with lightening, rain that pelted your eyeballs and 45 knot winds. Our only
[caption id="attachment_1801" align="alignleft" width="302"]
Integrity flying her A-Kite...before it blew up.[/caption]
casualty was our asymmetric kite (from a J105) that exploded in 20-25 knots of wind. Integrity finished a respectable 7th out of the 15 boats in her section, and 15th overall out of the 109 yachts competing on the shore course. Following the race, her crew relaxed for a few days on Mackinac Island before beginning the long delivery home to Sandusky. There are lots and lots more stories - so saunter up to me or Captain Tony at the liars table and we would love to share them.
As I write this blog three ECSC J24 crews are preparing their J24s to head north to Put-In-Bay, Ohio to compete in the I-LYA's Bay Week Regatta. This is often referred to as Senior Bay so as to not confuse it with Junior Bay week. Don't Panic, Dutch Mob, and Quixotic are all making the trip and will race this Friday through Sunday. This is also the J24 District championships and should be a great regatta.
Have fun, sail often, and sheet in.
Your race chair,
Rick Graef
Nick and Sheela Prepping for the Beach Party[/caption]
ECSC Regatta and Beach party proved to be one of our best Racing events of the year. Saturday had some great racing, but unfortunately Sunday the wind didn't quite cooperate and there were no races Sunday. Dr. Bob and his crew handled the Race Committee duties with expertise and we had some great racing Saturday. Nick Mates and his crew threw one of the best parties of the year. The band played until the wee hours and the dancing and singing was plentiful.
[caption id="attachment_1798" align="alignleft" width="293"] Jeff and Sarah Hanson at the ECSC Beach Party[/caption]
Red Fleet was won by Nan Schulze in Dutch Mob, 2nd was Perry Cameron in Sublime, and Austin Graef finished third in Don't Panic. White/Blue Fleet was won by Rich Fox, 2nd went to Chuck and Nancy Goff, and third was Mark Walker. The green fleet was won by Geoff Endris.
[caption id="attachment_1799" align="alignleft" width="300"] Racers at the Skippers Meeting[/caption]
On another note, Our club was represented for the first time ever in the Bayview Yacht club's annual race to Mackinac. This is a large yacht race from Port Huron, Michigan to Mackinac Island in Michigan. Club Member Tony ("Toe-Knee") Hubbard entered his John Alden Challenger. She is 38 feet long and was built in 1961 in England. Her home port is Sandusky, Ohio, but she proudly sailed for and displayed the Eagle Creek Sailing Club Burgee. Her crew included family, along with
[caption id="attachment_1803" align="alignleft" width="296"] Integrity Charging towards the finish of the Bayview Mac Race[/caption]
extended sailing family. This included many former junior sailors that Tony has mentored over the past decades. Aboard for the race were Toe-Knee Hubbard, his sons Jason and Jacob Hubbard, Cam Borkowski, Barrett Rhodes, John Bergan, and myself - Rick Graef. Delivery crew also included Jim and Bonnie Wolfinger.
[caption id="attachment_1802" align="alignleft" width="235"] Integrity proudly displaying her full colors[/caption]
The adventure began with a three day delivery from Sandusky to Put-in-Bay to Bayview Yacht Club, then on to Port Huron. After several days of race prep in Port Huron, Integrity began her first race in decades. We battled light air, medium air, and even squalls filled
[caption id="attachment_1807" align="alignleft" width="377"] The view from aloft with lots of canvas in the air.[/caption]
with lightening, rain that pelted your eyeballs and 45 knot winds. Our only
[caption id="attachment_1801" align="alignleft" width="302"] Integrity flying her A-Kite...before it blew up.[/caption]
casualty was our asymmetric kite (from a J105) that exploded in 20-25 knots of wind. Integrity finished a respectable 7th out of the 15 boats in her section, and 15th overall out of the 109 yachts competing on the shore course. Following the race, her crew relaxed for a few days on Mackinac Island before beginning the long delivery home to Sandusky. There are lots and lots more stories - so saunter up to me or Captain Tony at the liars table and we would love to share them.
As I write this blog three ECSC J24 crews are preparing their J24s to head north to Put-In-Bay, Ohio to compete in the I-LYA's Bay Week Regatta. This is often referred to as Senior Bay so as to not confuse it with Junior Bay week. Don't Panic, Dutch Mob, and Quixotic are all making the trip and will race this Friday through Sunday. This is also the J24 District championships and should be a great regatta.
Have fun, sail often, and sheet in.
Your race chair,
Rick GraefAugust 1, 2016
Welcome to new members:
Elliot & Guyanna Spurway of Indianapolis
August will be a quiter month around ECSC. No regattas on the calendar, but we do have the Lobster Fest on August 20th. This is a great event that is well attended. Be sure to RSVP to get your Lobster!
If you have anyone that is interested in learning more about ECSC membership, have them call Christy.....317-306-1640.... She will be glad to talk to them and answer their questions.
We have one more new member orientation September 25th. If you see an unfamiliar face, please introduce yourself and make the new members feel welcome!
August 1, 2016
Well it certainly has been a busy month with the ECSC Junior Sailing team! Most of July was spent on the road at regattas, clinics, and then Junior Bay Week. The conditions at Bay Week were near perfect, with a varying range of conditions from light air to heavy. There were around 34 Laser Radials competing this year and they were able to get in 18 races over the four days of the regatta! When everything was said and done, ECSC's Cameron Douglas ended up in the 3rd spot after some very tight racing, and Reagan Lessick finished 15th.
While Bay Week may be finished, the juniors aren't done with their season yet. Cam and Reagan traveled to Cleveland this past weekend for an I-LYA regatta for their travelers series. Cam finished in second, putting him in first place in the series, Reagan moved up to 6th place in the series. There are still a couple of I-LYA regattas left this season that the team will be travelling to as well.
August 1, 2016
"SAIL ON -- SALE ON"
The intense heat has created a big splash with this item!!!
The Ladies Lightweight Tee pictured below was out of stock by the end of June. Inventories have been replenished and they are available once again. It's yours for $12 each.
DISCONTINUED INVENTORIES
The Ships Store is eager to deplete all discontinued items with the following sale prices:
Check the Online Catalog for further product information on these and all Ship's Store items as well as contact information. We are only two miles from the club and can meet you at the club to deliver items.
The store will be open in the upper shelter during the Lobster Dinner for your shopping pleasure.
DISCONTINUED INVENTORIES
The Ships Store is eager to deplete all discontinued items with the following sale prices:
| Item | Old Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gildan T Shirt | $ 6.00 | $4.00 |
| Ladies Ribbed Tank Top | $13.00 | $4.00 |
| Ladies Tank Top (old model) | $14.00 | $4.00 |
| Ladies Tunic | $34.00 | $4.00 |
| Missy Fit T% | $09.00 | $3.00 |
| Rapid Dry Polo | $35.00 | $5.00 |