Tag Archives: Spring Series

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 Updates

Good morning ALCA members!
If anyone needs crew for today let me know. I will be bringing my friend Ananda down to the boat launch to show her what a Tuesday night at Austin Lake is all about! She has sailing experience and I have set her up with a trap harness, just in case 😉 We will be shore support for whoever needs us as well for rigging and launching boats.
-Nicole Berkel

I show 59° water temp on the east side of the lake. -Dave Stiemsma

Well that averages us at 66.5° lol —Fair Winds
Walter (Wall-E) Elsner ALCA 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

Spring Series Week #4 – May 25, 2021

Alright, now it’s HOT 🥵!  For Week 4 our spring series. The forecast is calling for mid 80s but SUNNY with winds around 13-17 mph gusting 25.  Lake is reportedly warm…

With winds like this make sure you are prepared with a RIGHTING LINE, and confident that you can right your own boat… More than likely we will NOT have a chase boat. And it is difficult for race committee to lift anchor to try to help people get righted in between races.  Be aware you will be at the mercy of others if you do flip and cannot right your own boat. 

And if you see somebody in trouble and you have crew you can of course at your option help them.

First start sequence begins at 6:30 PM

Dave Dunlap is RC this week so thanks in advance for the effort Dave! 

Fair Winds-

News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #6 – June 11, 2019

It’s week 6 and a beautiful sunny day with temps in the 70s.  Not exactly summer yet, but we’ll take it!  Winds are predicted to be 5-10 mph to light and variable later on, so we’ll see how mother nature is going to treat us!  Pontoon boat and Race Chairman is Jerry Mohney for tonight, with Wally on the boat helping out.    PRO Julie is out of town  this Tuesday.  

Julie sent out sailing guidelines late last week.  Please remember to review and get back to her with any questions and/or your thoughts.  Also, please check out the RC sign up sheet.  For years, we have been very fortunate to have ALCA racing on Tuesday nights, and our sailors have gone on to bigger events and represented us well.  Let’s continue to make ALCA a continued success by working together to make these nights happen, increasing our sailboat racing knowledge and at the same time supporting each other and having fun! 

News, Series Racing

Spring Series Week #4 – May 28, 2019

Here we are at week 4 for the 2019 Spring Series, and I have a great feeling that we will sail today!  Winds are predicted to be 8 mph out of the west (SailFlow) at 6 pm, with partly cloudy skies, and temps in the low to mid 60s.  Water isn’t too bad off the Austin L shore, but it’s still wetsuit weather in my book!  Race Chair for the night is Andy Lenczycki, and the Committee boat is his and Julie’s, with Julie, Keith and Dixie helping to run the races.    Remember, we meet at Brewster’s afterwards, and if you haven’t joined yet, tonight would be the time!  If you’re not currently listed in the 2019 Series Results, you are not a current member. I will have forms so bring your checkbooks or cash.