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 Docklines
The Newsletter from Lanier Sailing Academy and
The Passport Sailing Club |
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Events to Improve your life |
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Sat, Jan 5, Celestial Nav Clinic, 10am-1pm
Sat, Jan 12, Diesel Care Clinic, 10am-1pm
Sat. Mar 15, St. Paddy's Day Regatta, 10am-5pm
Sat. Mar 23, Race Clinics
10am-1pm Classroom
1pm-5pm On the Water
Sun. Mar 30, Regatta #1
1pm-5pm
Sat. Apr 19, Regatta #2
1pm-5pm |
| Whatcha tink mon ? |
In planning for 2008, we need your input. Please send ideas about what you want us to continue and what you want us to change.
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Hours & Numbers |
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January & February Dock Hours
Mon-Fri 10am - 5pm
Sat-Sun 9am - 1pm
1pm - 5pm
To reserve a boat:
770-614-5724
To contact the LSA office
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| Volume 39 Issue 1 |
January, 2008 |
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The staff at Lanier Sailing Academy want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and healthy new year! |
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A Letter From The Owner |
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This past year has been a successful and rewarding time for our Lanier Sailing Academy students and Passport Sailing Club members. We have continued to improve the quality of our fleet & staff while also adding new clinics and fun regattas in an educational and relaxed sailing environment.
Somehow we have been "blessed" with low water levels that have created additional shoaling. Of course our staff has risen to these challenges and provided quality support to our customers and at the same time experienced zero grounding accidents/repairs.
The so called experts have suggested our water levels will take several years to recover and are preaching gloom and doom for Lake Lanier. These same experts/"Chicken Littles" have made these predictions in previous low level periods and have been proven wrong. Who's to know ? We do know that The Passport Sailing Club is 100% operational and the fun is continuing to happen on Lake Lanier !
Happy New Year,
Matt Fleming |
| Sailing Lifestyles |
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| Life's a Beach
While physically living in the Atlanta metro area, mentally, many of us prefer "the island lifestyle" -- boats, beaches, bars, ballads. Buffett. Marley. Jerry Jeff. You get the idea.
 The success of The Passport Sailing Club over the last eighteen years is due to a laid back and fun atmosphere that somehow bottles the flavor of the Caribbean and imports this lifestyle for your consumption here in Atlanta. With this in mind, here's a sample of some sailing music that is worth downloading.
Feel free to share with us any other tunes that seem to keep an island smile on your face.
Come Away To Belize With Me
from Cowboy Boots & Bathin' Suits, which also includes Boats To Build and Barefootin'
Jerry Jeff Walker
Chorus:
Hey come away to Belize with me, show you how simple life can be
Long hazy days in the sun,
Where it seems everyone has a smile when we meet
Under blue skies and emerald seas, warm winds and those coconut trees
They say your heart never leaves, once you've been down to Belize
In daylight the sunlight chases the grey lights of lingering night
Down by the beach a lone heron he keeps
His eye on the fish and the tide
But I hear the boats, of the fisherman going to the flats where the bonefishes run
And the folks of San Pedro, all driving the same road, start their long day in the sun < Chorus >
So, let's get a boat, and some snorkels and go on out to the reef
We'll leave the fat folks, who wear shoes and white socks with cameras back on the beach
There's no pain or sorrow, down by the coral and Susan and Brownie and me
And we'll fish by the reef, for some snappers to eat, as we race the ray back to the beach< Chorus >
So at sunset we'll go sit, way out on the old deck, till the pink light is gone
From a funky old bar, I can hear a guitar playing, playing a down island song
The moon on the water, the pina colada, something you just gotta see
And that's when you start to notice your heart, has fallen in love with Belize < Chorus >
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| Boat Drinks: by Ann Kustoff |
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Don't let a little cold weather keep you at home during the windy season! As long as you are adequately prepared, sailing in the winter can be great fun. Here's why...
 The Top Ten Reasons to Go Sailing in the Middle of Winter
10. You earn a stamp on your Man Card every time you go sailing in the snow.
9. Power boaters are too delicate to handle the cold weather, so you have the lake to yourself.
8. Everybody looks like a salty seasoned sailor in foul weather gear.
7. It's fun to scare your crew... pretend the newly exposed islands are icebergs and you are captain of the Titanic.
6. Sailing beats sitting on the sofa watching endless college basketball games.
5. The guys on the dock get bored and lonely if nobody comes out to sail. Boredom breeds trouble with the boys.
4. It will give you happy memories for next summer when it's 98 degrees, no wind, and you're surrounded by jet skis.
3. Where else can you find like-minded people wild enough to take a sailboat out in January?! What's a little frozen snot between friends?!
2. Winter winds mean RAIL IN THE WATER!
1. Hot toddies in your thermos!*
*Speaking of hot toddies....herein lies the key to a pleasant winter sail. Of the many ways to make a hot toddy, here's my favorite recipe:
Recipe: "Snow in Your Sails" Toddy (not to be confused with the "frozen snot toddy")
2ish parts Jameson's Irish Whiskey warmed in the microwave (you can substitute cheaper whiskey or bourbon if you don't mind being called a Scurvy Dog)
5 parts near boiling water
The juice of about half of a fresh lemon per serving (I use 6 lemons when I fill my 3-liter thermos)
3 shakes from the cinnamon jar per serving
1 shake from the clove jar per serving (optional)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar per serving (if you want to experiment, try honey instead)
Mix it all together in a glass bowl and put it in the thermos while still piping hot (heat the mixture in the microwave if it's not hot enough). Garnish with lemon slices and cinnamon sticks, Make sure you bring enough for your crew, and don't forget to bring insulated cups on the boat. The toddy makes a great cold remedy too. [Submitted with optimism, Ann Kustoff. We invite your sailing tips, stories, humor and recipes.] |
| Buddy Boat ........ Hey Mon'. Where's the party? |
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 Your buddies are waiting at our dock
Next time you want to go sailing and don't have a crew, call LSA and ask about our "buddy boats."
And as much as single-handing a boat is a pleasurable and almost religious experience, there is much enjoyment when a sailing experience is shared with others.
A lack of friends or family to join you sailing is no longer a problem. Your friends are at the dock waiting for you.
How to:
1) When you call to book a boat, indicate if you would like to be on a 'buddy boat'.
2) If a Buddy Boat is already scheduled and not full, you'll be invited to join or book your own boat.
3) If you are the first person booking the boat, indicate the boat you want along with
a) the maximum number of people you want to accommodate (which is always limited by the boats' capacity).
b) if you want the boat to be 'family friendly' or 'adult only." |
| Sea-Gar Update |
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As reported in the December issue of Docklines, our club mascot Sea-Gar, was involved in the theft of The Passport Sailing Club's houseboat on Thanksgiving Day. He's being held
in the Hall County Detention Center awaiting trial on several related charges. Sea-Gar's Passport Sailing Club membership has been suspended waiting the outcome of the trial.
Seriously, we are sorry to report that our beloved houseboat that has been the scene of so many crazy parties over the last thirty eight years has been salvaged from Lake Lanier and sent to the junk yard. :-(
Rest assured, the LSA staff are hard at work searching for a replacement houseboat. More details will be exposed in our next month's Docklines Newsletter.
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Regatta Update |
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 Save the dates because it will be a fun time.
If you've thought about making a sailboat go faster, thought about how close can one boat safely get to another boat, or you are a little (or a lot) competitive, we're got a good time in store for you.
We'll start with a classroom clinic to explain the rules of racing -- as rights of way learned in BKB101 aren't always applicable. Then with this new knowledge, we do an exercise that former attendees found as helpful as it is entertaining.
After a lunch break, we head for the water to practice our new skills and understanding of the rules. We'll have a few short races so that you practice 'starts' and 'rounding the marks.'
Each boat will have at least one experienced racer on board so that damage and personal injury are kept to a minimum. ;-)
Sat, Mar 22 Clinic & practice
Sun, Mar 30 1st day of Spring Series
Sat, Apr 19 2nd day of Spring Series
Sun, Apr 27 3rd day of Spring Series
Sat. May 17 4th day of Spring Series
Sun. Jun 1 5th day of Spring Series
Sat. Jun 21 6th day of Spring Series
Save the dates; RSVP by calling the dock at 770-614-5724.
2007 Series Results
2007 Spring Series Average finish
1st place Greg Keenan 1.29
2nd place Norm Plotkin 1.50
3rd place Kurt Heckert 1.57
2007 Fall Average finish
1st place Hal Schlenger 1.45
2nd place Bill McCulloch 1.47
3rd place Alan Box 1.47
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| Club Events, Clinics & Regattas |
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| Get the most from your club membership
 Celestial Navigation Clinic
Saturday, January 5th 10:00 am to 1:00pm
OK -- So you just finished watching your favorite pirate movie and realized that you have no idea what the navigator was doing with "that thing" called the sextant.
Here's your chance to understand the basics of navigating using the stars and planets. Chris Albright will be conducting this clinic starting in the classroom and then proceed outdoors for some practical application of your new found talents.
Space is very limited.
The price of this clinic is -- FREE -- to our club members.
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724
 Diesel Clinic
Saturday, January 12th, 10:00 am to 1:00pm
OK -- So you feel comfortable with starting a diesel engine on one of our cruising boats -- But do you really know what makes the "Iron Jenny" work ?
Pat McCartin with Inland Marine Diesel will bring an engine to our classroom and demonstrate the inner workings of a modern engine.
Don't miss this popular clinic. The price of this clinic is -- FREE -- to our club members
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724.
Marlinspike Clinic (knot tying)
Saturday, February 16th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Capt. John Leggett will demonstrate and teach advanced knots, splices and
decorative rope tying techniques that will both entertain and train you for the lake as well as the bedroom (just kidding).
The price of this clinic is -- FREE -- to our club members.
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724.
 Heavy Weather Clinic
Saturday, March 8th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Calling all adrenaline junkies ..... Come join us for a spirited adventure into the crazed art of sailing big wind and big seas. Capt. John Leggett will demonstrate techniques, strategies and equipment that assist you in surviving and maybe even flourishing in heavy weather.
The price of this clinic is -- FREE -- to our club members.
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724.
 St. Patty's Day RegattaSaturday, March 15th, 10:00 am - 5:00pm
In the spirit of the ET Challenge and Penguin Regatta, this is our next full day on-the-water activity followed by dinner, stories and drinks. For this competitive event, creativity and humor will be permitted to offset any lack of sailing skills or performance.
Save the date and look for more info and photos in the next Docklines.
 Racing: Regatta "how to" clinic and practice
Saturday, March 22nd, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
It's time to learn how to race !
This fun clinic will cover racing rules and strategies that will help you to understand the craziness of sailing regattas. Please join Hal Schlenger and Glenn Simons with their interactive and fun racing clinic.
10:00am to 1:00pm Racing basics (classroom)
1:00pm to 4:00pm Starts and roundings (on the water)
Capri 22 Regatta, Spring Series for 2008
Come join us for a fun, hands on, 'sort of laid back' racing experience. The typical regatta is organized with an experienced skipper on each boat, followed by a blind draw of crew members. We sail three (3) one hour races within Big Creek and finish with a cookout back at the dock.
Your sailing knowledge will dramatically increase. Your fun-o-meter will get a work out and your party skills will be improve !
Regatta Dates:
Sunday, Mar. 30
Saturday, Apr. 19
Sunday, Apr. 27
Saturday, May 17
Sunday, Jun 1
Saturday, Jun 21
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724
Cost: Food and soft drink fee of $ 20 per person
* Race committee receives complimentary dinner (along with any bribes from racers). Contact us if you want more info about serving as race committee for an individual date.
Watch for these Future Clinics
Docking
Spinnaker Flying
Coastal Navigation
Bareboat Management
Anchoring |
From the Dock
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 Ensuring that the fleet is ready when you are
Thank you to the many, many members who treat the boats like they own them. Reporting even minor wear and tear items allows the dock crew to keep the boats in the best possible condition so that when you are ready to use them, they are in good shape -- not just safe. And more importantly, fixing things before they get really bad prevents boats from being out of service.
There are numerous big and little fixes that are done during the week so that the entire fleet is ready for the weekends.
So please keep asking questions and reporting issues. The end result is "your fleet" being ready when you and your guests are ready to go sailing.
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Sailing Fantasies |
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Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Certification
Basic Coastal Cruising - 103 and Bareboat Certification - 104
in Pensacola, Florida !!
OK ....so you have this dream about sailing the Caribbean with your arm around your girl and your hand around a cold beer and your bare foot around the hem. We can make this dream come true ! Come spend six days and five nights on the beautiful Emerald Coast of Florida and experience the award winning courses of Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Certification.
Sunday, Feb. 17 thru Friday, Feb. 22 $1,350
Sunday, Mar. 30 thru Friday, April 04 $1,350
Sunday, Apr. 13 thru Friday, April 18 $1,350
Sunday, May 04 thru Friday, May 09 $1,350
Sunday, Jun. 10 thru Friday, Jun. 13 $1,350
Don't wait to register ! These advance courses typically sell out 90 days prior to start date. Call Cindy or Matt for details or to just talk sailing !!
(770) 945-8810
Spaces are still available for Basic Coastal Cruising - 103 and Bareboat Certification - 104 in the British Virgin Islands !!
 It's time to take that dream vacation -- It's time to become Bareboat Certified -- It's time to visit the land of tropical sailing fantasies and pirate legends.
The British Virgin Islands -- Where sailing dreams come true!
All classes in BVI include breakfasts, lunches, snacks/soft drinks and one dinner cooked on board. Call 770-945-8810 to signup!
Saturday, Feb. 02 thru Friday. Feb. 08 $1,495
Saturday, Mar. 15 thru Friday, Mar. 21 $1,495
Saturday, May. 08 thru Friday, May 14 $1,495
Saturday, Nov. 01 thru Friday, Nov. 07 $1,495
Saturday, Nov. 08 thru Friday, Nov. 14 $1,495
Feel free to call Cindy or Matt at (770) 945-8810 to learn more about your sailing dream in paradise.
"Dark and Stormy Regatta Week" in the British Virgin Islands !
March 6 thru March 12, 2008 SOLD OUT !
Join us in the BVI's for a unique experience sailing in one of the Caribbean's most fun and adventurous sailing regattas - "THE DARK AND STORMY" race to the beautiful island of Anegada. Your trip price includes your sailing week with us aboard a 46 foot Beneteau Sailing Yacht, all the regatta activities, breakfasts, lunches, snacks and 1 level of certification. We know the islands mon !
We promise lots of crazy sailing fun!
SOLD OUT ! SOLD OUT !
$1595.00 per person call Cindy at (770) 945-8810 to signup! |
Humor: Photo Caption
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 From last month:
<> One hand for the boat; one hand for, uhh, the boat.
<> Do you think I'm sexy? I'm doin' my cat walk.
<> If I shaved them, would I get sea legs quicker?
<> I learned why it's called a boom. I'm not going to let that happen again.
<> If I walk really quietly, nobody will know that going for another drink.
NEW: Send your caption and we'll include them in next month's Docklines.
Deadline is the 20th of this month. |
| Contact Us |
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As always, if you have any questions, concerns, feedback, suggestions, complaints or compliments about Lanier Sailing Academy, the Passport Sailing Club or Docklines, please click here to contact LSA's owner, Matt Fleming so that you have the best possible sailing experiences. |
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New Year's Resolution |
I will do something Tropical Each Month
Read the Docklines and share my ideas. Then schedule 2 days each month to make it to the dock -- to sail, take a class, attend a clinic, plan a vacation....or in following the island lifestyle, just hang out.
Start thinking and pencil-in those dates! Better yet, "pen in" the dates. |
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Just show up. That's a way to get started. |
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