Daysailer Fleet 98

Great news!   Great news!  Great news!   Great news!

Leatherlips Junior Sailing Inc. has been accepted into the Kroger Community Rewards program. If you have a Kroger Plus Card, you can designate LYC for community rewards. Each time you use your card (excludes liquor, gasoline, and federally funded prescriptions) your purchase will contribute to our 501(c)3.

Being in the rewards program does not affect your fuel points and costs you nothing.

The program commences on May 1, but you can sign up right now. Your registration will last for one year -- after that, you need to sign up again. Your friends and other family members can also sign up at any time -- the more people signed up, the more we will make to support and promote sailing in our community!

There are 2 ways to sign up:
1) If you do not have Internet access, you can print the attached barcoded letter and give it to the Kroger cashier, along with your Plus Card the next time you shop. (S)he will scan both your card and the letter, and you will be signed up. It's just that easy!  (the barcoded letters can also be picked up at the club -- located on the bulletin board and in the kitchen).
2) If you do have Internet access, you can sign up by going to: www.krogercommunityrewards.com

• Click on "Please select your location"
• Click on "Ohio"
• Click on the blue square that says "enroll"

(If you do not already have an online Kroger website password, you need to create one first, just click "sign up today!" -- which is a pretty good deal, since they also give you the option to sign up for Kroger coupons).

Once you have your password, sign in and:

• Click on: "Edit Kroger Community Rewards Information"
• Enter our LYC group # 83393

That's all there is to it! Just a few minutes on your part, and for the next year the LYC 501(c) 3 benefits!

Questions? Just let me know! Christie Whitt

Each boat space now has a visible, and permanent marker indicating the boat space. Please adhere to these throughout the season. Thanks to the Lido Fleet for taking on this project!

US Sailing Seminar instructor Dobbs Davis checks in with top sailmakers to get their tips on managing your racing inventory…see the March 2009 issue of Sailing World. Will upload a copy ASAP. Need to reduce the size of a PDF file? Any takers? MF

The pictures below are Richard Schleim working through the winter in my basement on the 15hp outboards. The pictures show Richard in action and two of the reasons why the Hondas weren't working properly at the end of the season - worn out water pump impeller, broken interlock linkage that would normally prevent engine misuse.  In addition to the problems in the pictures Richard has added a new top cover, fitted a new throttle drag brake, adjusted the forward reverse linkage, repaired the kill switch, made multiple adjustments and changed both engines bodily fluids and cured a fuel leak which was allowing air into the carburetor with consequent reduced power. Thanks from the LYC membership!

If you have not been to a Saturday work party yet, there is still one more you can attend. Saturday, March 28th, will be the last PRE-DOCKS-IN work party. Members meet at the club at 8 am and wrap up around 12 noon to prep the club for DOCKS IN. A lot has been done, but a lot still remains. Please make a point to do you part. Our club is based on member participation. See you at the club.

Last autumn a number of DS98 fleet members participated in the 2-day Old Fox Regatta hosted by Alum Creek Sailing Association. Of the LYC members who sailed, Scott Graham and Amy McIntire came in first, followed by Molly and Kevin Flanagan and JP and Mike Clowes in third. Also in the race were Tami Chapman and Christie Whitt and Lynn and Nick McMahon. We had such a good time (the winds were howling at 15 knots the first day) that we have decided to participate in the spring May Cup, Alum Cup and the Old Fox in the fall.

The Rules Have Changed

Every four years, the Racing Rules of Sailing change. Starting January 1, 2009, the new rules apply. The 2009 US SAILING Rules Seminar will teach you all you need to know to race under the new 2009-2012 Racing Rules.

The results are in, and it seems that only 2 of us are above reproach. Only the Paper Boy and Big Bad Joe were not suspects. I personally would have suspected Joe -- as a contract killer. I'm afraid of him -- it took me 4 shots of Peach Schnapps to get up enough nerve to deliver my Mark Harmon wannabe bop on the head to Joe -- I really thought he would stand up and shoot me, but I guess he's just too sweet. Either that, or he's waiting for me to show up to boat repair next Saturday, and plans to do me in there. That's probably it.

Daysailer Fleet #98, aka the Zebra Mussels, were busy last month cleaning and repairing a very neglected Daysailer. Kevin, JP and Scott drove to Canton to pick up the boat and the following fleet members helped prep it for some fiber glass work: Marcia Bennett, JP Clowes, Scott Graham, Tom Clarke, Erin and Kevin Flanagan, Tami Chapman and Christie Whitt. Thanks to the Grahams for allowing up to hold court at their home. Always a good time.

(L to R) Laura Cameron, Jill Cameron, Colin Redman and AJ Savage

Our well-loved Little Tykes Cozy Coupe (the red & yellow riding toy) got lost at sea and has washed away. If you have one, our own LYC little tykes would love to have it. Also needed: sandbox toys.

Please remember to do your part at LYC by recycling ALUMINUM CANS, PLASTIC AND GLASS BOTTLES, PAPER AND CARDBOARD. Thanks!

The brainchild of Matt Givens, the LYC float in the Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade was awesome!! Janet Rupert made mermaid outfits for the float riders and made postcards that were passed out by LYC Commodore John Rupert and Junior Sailing members (names here) along the parade route. Thanks to everyone who helped. What great a marketing idea!

And for even BETTER pictures of the Dublin LYC float, visit http://columbus.sailingforums.com/?cat=54 Janet Rupert and Matt Givens will be running the sailing program this year…and what a great preseason. For information about this summer’s Learn to Sail program, including registration, visit http://columbus.sailingforums.com/.

This year we are dividing the training into a setting-the-course session and a boat-handling session. On Wednesday evening, April 8, Bob France will review setting and shortening the course, the use of flags, and record keeping. Contact Bob with any questions at 499-7104. 

Boat handling, anchoring, mark setting, and capsize recovery will be practiced on Saturday morning, May 9. This is being taught by Women on the Water, but this year, we invite men and youth to join us for practice. If you have shaky or no skills or just want a spring brush up, come on out and take a turn starting and operating the powerboats. This is a hands-on workshop. Contact Janet Rupert at 361-1132 for more information. Be sure to bundle up. It’s always colder on the water.

As I sit here contemplating St. Patrick’s Day, the Vernal Equinox and Dock’s In - our Rites of Spring - it is still winter outside and boats are stored away. Having grown up in Florida and southern California, this still seems weird, an unnecessary downtime. But, when the spring flowers bloom and sails are hoisted, my spirits are renewed again.

There will be a silent auction during the Memorial Day races for an Archie Griffin signed football…His real autograph, not the imprint. The auction kicks off a fundraiser for a 420 sailboat for the Junior Racing and Learn To Sail programs. OSU's own football great has agreed to donate his signature to this good cause. As many of you know, the I-LYA switched from the FJ to the 420 for its double-handed boat in the Traveler's Series and for Junior Bay Week. Our goal is to raise $2000 for a good used 420 so our junior sailors can participate in the event. Buy the football and help us get started! For more information, contact Janet Rupert at 361-1132.

With the lake frozen solid, what's a Columbus sailor to do all winter? Repair the club boats, of course!

Don’t be left out. Orders will be taken at Docks In for LYC 80th Anniversary T-shirts. Payment is due at time of order, and shirts will be available for pickup at the club approximately 2 weeks later. Cost for Toddler/Youth is $8; Adults are $10. Sizes range from 2T to XXXL. Colors include Cloud White, Storm Ash Grey, Carolina Blue, Key West Lime Green. Shirt design is modeled after the club emblem that once hung over the LYC fireplace. Although damaged, the emblem survived the fire, but has subsequently been misplaced. Don't be left out -- be sure to order your shirt!