BIRDS AND WORMS OCTOBER - 2012 Upcoming Events: 10/26th – General Membership Meeting (7:30) Lightning dinner (6:00) 10/27th – Fall work party (9:00) 11/17th – Cups and Flags (6:00) Editor’s  Note: Thanks to all who contributed articles. Special thanks to those who contributed pictures: Sally Atkins, John Boettcher, Virginia Cumine, Norm Dahl, Dorothy Drazhal, and John Weisenthal. Commodore's Column – John Boettcher

End of the sailing season and in a few weeks the end of my term as your Commodore. It has been an interesting two years. Most of my job centered on running the monthly Board meetings and coping with the items that surface in these meetings. For the most part, these items are fairly routine but still can be challenging. However, I did feel that as Commodore, I should provide some vision and leadership.

For several years we have been losing members. This could be due to a variety of reasons but what I sought to do was to identify those things that members value about NYC and provide more of them. I reasoned that if we do this right, NYC membership would be so valuable that nobody would leave and we would, by word of mouth, have more new members than we could accommodate.

I focused on social interaction. I have noticed that the members seem to enjoy each other’s company. In our meetings, dinners and work parties, there is much laughter and camaraderie. The racing fleets are brought together by the race dates and meet frequently, but what about the rest of the Club? What can be done to provide more such occasions for the whole Club?

This  was  the  impetus  for  “Movie  Night”.    I  knew of a couple of movies that were sailing oriented and devised a way of showing these at NYC thanks to the digital projector that Kenny Fourspring was able to provide. Attendance at

these four events was not great, mostly in the 10 to 20 range. Not a stirring success.

Maybe food was needed in the gathering. Following what had been done in previous years, we scheduled picnic dates around the Memorial Day and July 4th holidays. I figured that Sunday would be good because we could count on some of the racers staying for the picnic after the racing is over. The attendance at the Memorial Day one was only fair. I could not attend but I understand that the July 4th picnic had a number of folks attending. In the same vein, a Launch Breakfast was held which drew only a modest number of folks. I should also mention that our Vice Commodore Lori Foster had an ice cream cone give away on July 4th with only moderate success.

The response to these social interaction opportunities has been underwhelming. Perhaps they should be continued in hopes that, with time, participation might increase. Or, perhaps the answer to our membership problems lies in other areas. Something for the new Board to address.

Another initiative meeting with somewhat more success has been the encouragement of racing by non-one design fleets. Several folks had a hand in this but I would like to acknowledge Norm Dahl who found out a scoring system that would work. There was also considerable support among the one design fleets. Some of the racers gave up several of their race days to act as crew for cruisers just getting started racing. Both Thursday nights and Sundays, we would have 2-3 additional boats racing as a result of these efforts.

In closing, I would like to thank the two Boards that I have worked with for their support and hard work. I would especially like to acknowledge the efforts of Secretary Landy Atkinson. Along with his assigned duties, he has made time to improve our website and email distribution lists and also drive the current effort to make our Constitution and Bylaws more useful and applicable to the current times.

Rear Commodore – Bill Andrews Fall Work Party: The Fall Work Party will

begin at 9:00 a.m. on October 27, 2012. I will be sending out a notice to the membership prior to the day with information on specific jobs that need to be done.

Cups and Flags: The Cups and Flags awards event is scheduled for November 17th, 2012. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to email me at Billandgail1976@yahoo.com Vice Commodore – Lori Foster

This is an invitation to all who in their near future have a family reunion or business meeting to attend, or even to plan. The Newport Yacht Club is the perfect place to host your next get-together. Many members, on an annual basis, have a work-retreat event or just a friendly gathering. Some members have hosted family reunions, bridal showers and wedding receptions. Fall, winter and spring are the easiest times to book as sailing events do not conflict.

A huge benefit of being a member of Newport Yacht Club is the very reasonable rental rate. If your party is between 20 and 49 guests the rate is a flat $30. If there are 50 or more guests then that rate is a flat $60. There is a $20 deposit clean-up fee that is returned if the clubhouse is left in great shape. I can safely say it always looks wonderful after an event.

To reserve the club house: 1) check the calendar at newportyc.org. 2) Please contact me by email (LF348@yahoo.com) or phone call (585.244.8386) stating your date request, time frame and number in your party. 3) I will confirm that the date is available. 4) Download the reservation form, fill it out and mail the required amount to me. 5) Once I have received the reservation I will post your event on the website.

It is never too early to book. Enjoy! TNS Money – J. Boettcher

I got the job of taking care of the Thursday Night Sailing funds and provisions in mid-season. After the racing on Thursdays, we have a dinner. Participants are expected to bring

something for the table and the house provides hot dogs and hamburgs for reasonable cost. My predecessor, Tom Lee, managed to turn the $84 he started with into $227. Under my watch, this grew to $318. Lots of hots and burgs. Current plans are to spend some small amount on trophies and a recognition gift for Bill Topping, our PRO. The rest of the funds will be turned over to the NYC treasurer. Last year, we signed over $160. This year we will surpass that amount. Laser Fleet – Kenny Fourspring

I’ve   been   having   a   blast   sailing   with   the  lasers this year. This summer went extremely fast. Thus far we have had over 80 fleet races. I’d   also   like   to   thank  Norm  Dahl   for   his   hard  work scoring all of the club boats together in a Portsmouth handicap series. It was great to have lasers, lightnings and snipes all scored together.

The laser fleet races have been well attended this year with four or five boats (up to 7 on occasion) on the race line most nights. The fleet also has several new members this year. The two new faces are Charlie Maier and Perky McDonald. Charlie Maier has been doing quite well and is a welcome addition to the   Laser   fleet.     Pricilla   “Perky”  McDonald   is  also a recent addition to the laser fleet. On her first day of racing she tipped over almost more than I have seen most of the year, but was super optimistic the whole time. With this small resurgence of the laser fleet, we are always looking for new folks to try small boat sailing. If you have never sailed a laser before or are interested in learning, we have a loaner boat that club members or their guest can take out. Quite a few guests and members have taken advantage of the loaner laser this year, (John Handel, Dale Ewbank, John Wiesenthal and others).    It’s  a  great  chance  to  sail  a  laser.

Newport hosted the Brown Jug this year. John Boettcher was the first laser from Newport and he was wearing his mark camouflage (see photograph below.) From time to time while sailing this race I had to make sure I was sailing towards the windward mark, and not John. The laser fleet would like to thank everyone who

volunteered for race committee and made food for this event. A lot of work goes into the Brown Jug each year, and it is in turn one of the most fun races to sail in with so many boats on the bay.

The laser fleet also competed in the pirate race day. This was a fun day of racing in honor of   “National   Talk   like   a   Pirate   Day”,   and   we  had one of our new associate members Felicia MacLarn   (Virginia’s   Granddaughter)   sail   the  club laser. She did a great job sailing the club laser and managed not to tip over even though it was quite windy. Sailors were dressed up for the occasion with eye patches, swords, and squirt guns. Everyone had a lot of fun at this event.

The fleet is very optimistic about fleet racing next year due to the great attendance this year, and new members. With that, it comes to my mind that it would be great if we could get more members involved in fleet racing. By racing sailboats rather than just cruising, it helps improve your all round sailing skills, and there   isn’t   anything   more   fun   than   being  surrounded with a bunch of boats all trying to achieve a common goal - to get around the marks the fastest. Also, the more boats we get on the racecourse, the more competitive the fleet racing will be. I have spent some time the last   few   years   going   to   regattas,   but   it’s   the  local club racing where I had a lot more fun this year.    It’s  a  lot  less  work  to drive a few minutes down to the club and hop in my boat to go sailing. The racing conditions have been extraordinary this year, with a thermal coming in almost all the racing days. With that I hope to see some new faces on the water next year for club racing.

John was the decoy mark during the brown jug regatta. (Photo courtesy of RCC.) Third Annual NYC Adult-Junior Pirate Day Sailboat Races - Virginia Cumine

Overcast skies and white caps on the bay greeted the Pirates and their Skippers on Sunday, September 30, 2012. But with bravado and fortitude, 12 juniors and their skippers set sail armed with water pistols and cannons. Fortunately, the winds settled into gentle breezes and the downpour held off until after the dinner and awards ceremony, which took place inside the warm and cozy clubhouse.

The twelve juniors ranged from ages 4 to 16. Cruisers, Snipes and a Laser participated this year. In addition, the pirates were joined by Adult Pirates in regular Sunday fall racing. Top place finisher of the four races was Jacob Cooney and skipper Norm Dahl. Second place was Ishan & Sonali Dixit with Skipper Bill Vaughn assisted by Samir Dixit. Felicia MacLaren won solo on a Laser. Benjamin & Isabelle sailed a cruiser with Dad Scott Sorrels. Lynn and Denise Bluett sailed with grandchildren Tyler & Emma Goerlich, Ian and Joe Spencer. Dorothy Drahzal and Paul Riordan skippered their cruiser with neighbors Razia & Adrian Sayed.

Many thanks to all who assisted with this event: Race Committee Pro - Taylor Dutton &

Ashley Pierce; scorekeepers - Phil & Carol Morse with Novice scorekeepers Jen Perena & Rachel MacLaren; certificates - Dan Groth & Landy Atkinson; and Laser helpers Kenny Fourspring & John Boettcher. Many thanks to all those who brought good food and helped with clean-up. Appreciation is also given to those regular racers who dressed for the occasion and modified their races to accommodate the junior sailors.

Junior Sailors

Solo Winner, Felicia McClaren

Winner, Jacob Cooney

Thursday Portsmouth Racers – Norm Dahl Congratulations to John Dentinger and Jen

Perena for winning the Thursday Portsmouth series. They edged out Steve Leach by only two points and he beat Virginia and me by 1.2 points. Close!

Special thanks to Bill Topping for running so many of the races and for training the paid crew to take good finish times. -- Norman, the Score-Man Thursday Portsmouth Final Results

1st – John Dentinger/Jennefer Perena – Snipe 2nd – Steve Leach – Laser 3rd – Norm Dahl/Virginia Cumine – Snipe 4th – Kenny Fourspring – Laser 5th – John Boettcher – Laser 6th – Ricky Trauscht/Dan Groth – Snipe 7th – Charles Maier – Laser 8th – Tom Lee/Sue Hill – Snipe 9th – Bob Shanebrook – Laser 10th – Eric Schoenhardt/Morgan Smith – Flying Dutchman 11th – Todd Calvin – Laser 12th – Phil Morse/Carol Morse – Snipe 13th – Todd Calvin – Laser 14th – Griffin Orr - Laser 15th – Vadim Rabovsky/Yvegenia Rabovsky - Lightning 16th – Visitor - Laser 17th – Matt Disch/Wendy Dannels - Snipe

Briody Memorial Regatta – Norm Dahl By winning seven of the nine races of the

2012 Briody Memorial Regatta, Jno and Karen Disch nailed the Championship of the Lake Ontario Region. The Canadian contingent took the next three places. Charlie Courtsal and Dean Clayton were the top local team.

The wind was glorious both days. Saturday it settled into a brisk northerly with frequent shots from other directions; Sunday, a light southerly. PRO Bill Topping got the most out of our good weather fortune.

I can't tell you about tactics at the front of the fleet -- too far away. Back in the pack it was still interesting. Approaching one finish, I tacked on Bill Vaughn's lee bow, but then Gord Richards tacked on mine and Bill kept me from tacking away. Aargh!

One treat was the appearance of old-time Snipe sailors Bud and Ellen Booth. The Retzhaupt Trophy used to be awarded for the best showing in three nearby regattas. Bud won it in 1970. Now he is 85 and still supporting the class.

We were fed and kept hydrated by Rosemary Dahl (dinner chair), Joanne Vaughn (breakfasts, etc), Rick and Sharon Trauscht (drinks, etc), Virginia Cumine, Barbara Horvath and Carol Morse. Peter Allen and Joel Morgan provided boats and equipment. Charlie Courtsal and Dan Groth lined up the race crew. Bill Vaughn and John Dentinger registered competitors and scored the races. Commodore John Boettcher gave a nice opening speech. Let's see, who else? Oh yes, Jno did a truly magnificent job as SCIRA representative, one that cannot be surpassed until . . . .

Good luck to the Briody participants now heading to the Snipe North Americans at Etobicoke YC.

Norm Dahl, Karen Disch, Jno Disch

Harri Palm, Molly Kurvink

Start of race 3.

Busy Summer for Snipe Sailors -- Norm Dahl

This year we had the best sailing weather that I can remember in 40 years on Irondequoit Bay and the Snipe sailors, among others, took advantage of it. We had 14 races in the Spring Series, 16 in the Official (Summer) Series and 17 on Thursday nights -- and the Fall Series is still running.

Congratulations to Charlie Courtsal, with usual crew Jay Perena, for extending his reign as Snipe Fleet Champion for yet another year. John Dentinger finished second in the Official Series and first among Snipes in Thursday Night Sailing. Congratulations to him, too, and to crew Jen Perena.

After a grueling campaign, Ted Horvath secured enough votes to be elected Fleet Captain for the 2013 season. He'll be great. For the remainder of Tom Lee's 2012 term, I am filling in. Tom did a fine job as Fleet Captain for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons and most of 2012. That's a long stretch and an enormous amount of work. Earnest thanks from everyone in our fleet for all you did, Tom. Handicap Racing Has Returned -- Norm Dahl

Alan McReynolds started the handicap racing program for Thursday Night Sailing at Newport. It was active in 2010, died out for 2011, and has now resumed, with changes based on experiences at Newport and other clubs. Expect further changes for the 2013 season, based on what we learn this year.

The keelboats sailed under the PHRF handicap rules and the center-boarders, under Portsmouth. We broke the season into four parts: May/June Sundays; July/August Sundays; September/October Sundays; and Thursday Night Sailing. Series scoring was according to the CHIPS high point system, which gives more points for a given finish if you beat more boats and fewer points if more boats beat you

For the Portsmouth fleet, first place in the May/June series went to Steve Leach, first in the July/August series was Charlie Courtsal, and first for Thursday nights was John

Dentinger. For the PHRF fleet, first in May/June was John Wiesenthal; in July/August, John Wiesenthal; and for Thursday nights, Scott Sorrels.

For Snipes and Lasers, the handicap scoring added interest to the one-design competition. Also, if too few boats showed for a one-design race, they still could race under handicap. This was especially helpful for a Lightning or Flying Dutchman.

For the keelboats, several boats sailed laps without enough competitors for a three-boat race. Think of this as a lead-up activity, in the same way as shooting baskets in your driveway is a lead-up to the game of basketball. The sailors did develop racing skills, such as how to time and position the approach to the start and how to control the boat for mark roundings. The next trick is to get the active boats out on the same day.

Books You Might Enjoy– Joanne Vaughn

I have read two books that might be of interest to our frustrated NYC sailors that have put their boats away for the summer.

Riptide, by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child Publisher's summary: A centuries-old, cursed pirate's treasure, valued at over $2 billion, lies deep within the treacherous waters off the coast of Maine. Men who have attempted to unearth the fortune have suffered gruesome deaths. Will a high-tech expedition meet the same fate?

The Ice Limit, by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child Publisher's summary: The largest known meteorite has been discovered, entombed in the earth for millions of years on a frigid, desolate island off the southern tip of Chile. At 4,000 tons, this treasure seems impossible to move.

New York billionaire Palmer Lloyd is determined to have this incredible find for his new museum. Stocking a cargo ship with the finest scientists and engineers, he builds a flawless expedition. But from the first approach to the meteorite, people begin to die. A frightening truth is about to unfold: The men and women of the Rolvaag are not taking this ancient, enigmatic object anywhere. It is taking them.

Trailer Maintenance – Andy Smith Fall is the time of the year to take care of

the wheel bearings on your boat trailer. This is especially true if the trailer was just backed into the water to haul the boat.

What causes the problem? During the dunking, water seeps into the areas around the bearings and into the voids in the grease. Drive a few miles, and this water gets emulsified into the grease. Store it for the winter that way and the needle bearings form a line of rust on the bearings and mating race surfaces. Next year when it is moved, the bearings are compromised, and the grease is no good. The hub tends to get hot, and eventually fails.

This is what happened to the club safety boat trailer this spring when the wheel fell off. The bearings had simply failed from years of neglected or delayed maintenance. No it is not uncommon. The man at Brads Trailer Sales told me they get a dozen calls per year to go and pick up a trailer because the wheels fell off.

Don’t  let  it  happen  to  you.    Get  your  bearings repacked with fresh grease each year. Get in the habit of feeling the hubs every time you stop. If they are hot to the touch, there is a problem. They should be as cold as the fenders. Historic Lightning at NYC – Leo Blandis Leo sent this letter to the President of the Finger Lakes Boating Museum. As President of Finger Lakes Boating Museum  (I’ve  joined!), you will appreciate the attached photos of historic Lightning #470 being sailed on Irondequoit Bay. It was built by Skaneateles Boats Company in 1941, and is in near original condition after 70 years. Newport YC member Marc Schieber, who has owned it since 1995, regularly day sails it single-handed (he doesn't race), always with a big smile. Its hull is wooden, of course, with a canvas covered deck, wood mast and boom, and mahogany interior trim. Instead of cleats, belaying pins are used to secure lines at the base of the mast. There are only 27 older Lightnings still listed in the world, with #1 at Mystic Seaport;

#573 as you know is at FLBM. Lightning Fleet 77 was founded at Newport YC on the Bay in 1946, and NYC members travel the world today to international regattas. Lightnings #405 and #2450 were also sailed at Rochester Canoe Club in the 1950's and 1960's on Irondequoit Bay, but not in a Fleet. The last Lightning left RCC by 1966.

Marc Schieber

Mark in Lightning # 470

Brown Jug I received no specific report about the Brown Jug, but you can find references in other articles in this issue. I did, however, receive pictures. Some are shown below.

Racing fleets

Jack Finear, overall winner

John Weisenthal

Commodore Boettcher and the crowd

Awards

Party time