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 Docklines
Enjoy wonderful fall winds & temperatures at the lake.
The boats are ready for your sailing enjoyment. Here's some events, advice and sailing stories to inspire you! |
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| Cultivate new crew by sending this to a friend. |
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Events to Improve your life |
Fri. Sep. 5,
Friday Night Overnight Escape 7pm - Saturday morning
Sat. Sept. 13,
Intro to Celestial Navigation. 10am - 1pm
Sat., Sep. 20
Fall Regatta series day 2 of 6
1pm - 6pm-ish
Sun., Sep. 28
Fall Regatta series day 3 of 6
1pm - 6pm-ish
Sat. Oct. 11,
Intro to Ouboard Engines. 10am - 1pm
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Hours & NumBers |
| September Dock Hours
Mon - Fri 10am - 6pm
Sat - Sun 9am - 2pm
2pm - 7pm
To reserve a boat:
770-614-5724
To contact the LSA office:
770-945-8810
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| Volume 39 Issue 9 |
September, 2008 |
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A Message from Matt |
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 Buyer Beware !
A few club members have approached me this summer with unusual stories concerning their Basic Coastal Cruising & Bareboat Certification Courses with other sailing schools. These members attempted to attend one of LSA's courses in Pensacola but had scheduling conflicts and registered elsewhere.
Our members experienced various problems when dealing with these low quality service providers with student overcrowding, not covering subject matter that is on the test, older boats, grumpy instructors, poorly equipped boats, repeating BKB-101 course with beginner students onboard and not so nice customer service. It's amazing, not all ASA schools are quality service providers. Buyer beware !
Yes, we highly recommend that you take our award winning coastal courses in Pensacola onboard our Beneteau 393 with Captain Ron Rose for a top quality experience, but in the event we can't meet your vacation schedule here are a few tips to help you select a quality vendor. Again, buyer beware !!
* Obtain resume of captain/instructor prior to registering.
* Only deal with schools that have been awarded "ASA
Outstanding School of the Year".
* Ask what year the boat was built (not older than 8 years)
* Must have six or more days for BCC & BBC courses.
* Don't combine BKB with BCC & BBC courses.
* Is the venue (cruising area) challenging ?
* How long has the school been in business ?
* Maximum of 6 students onboard (Pensacola has 4)
I'm sad to say that somehow you can obtain a quick and cheap ASA Bareboat Certification from a low quality vendor but you must take into account two things. First, LSA might not recognize your certification from these lousy vendors and not permit a future big boat rental. Secondly, you're risking your security deposit ($1,000 or more) with your future charter provider due to the lack of training you did not receive and the damage that you may cause.
Buyer Beware !!! |
| Regatta Update |
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 After holding our semi-annual clinic and practice day in mid-August, the first day of the Fall series took place Sunday, Aug. 24. It was an ideal day, with winds 6-10 knots from the unusual Easterly direction. It was a benefit of Hurricane Fay.
Six boats competed for the day's bragging rights. Mike Blanchard, along with Leslie Lessing and Todd Burruss, sailing Black Dog, won both races.
In George Dog, Alan Box, Christine Chidgey and Steve Darsie finished 2nd in both races, much a result of smart strategies at the start.
Roy Chidgey, Rich Jones, Kate Koert sailed Hot Dog to a 3rd place finish 3rd for the day, very, very closely followed by Alan Hollander, Keith Klobier and Peter van Dyke in West Dog.
MORE RACES are scheduled for September and October. See details in the "Events" article below. |
| Going Green |
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 Shallow (and not-so-shallow) Thoughts from Honez (Rich Jones)
With threats of global warming, the possibility of the ice caps melting and four-dollar a gallon gas I have begun to consider if I am being green enough. What am I doing to preserve the earth's precious resources?
I have decided to take a good look at myself and see how I am doing.
1. In spite of my wife's best efforts to throw them out, I continue to wear my old, holy, sailing tee shirts' which reduces my contribution to the world's landfills.
2. Instead of mowing the yard and wasting gas, I go sailing instead.
3. I spend a lot of green going on sailing trips. Lots of fun and since we eat Chili Dawgs we make our own gas.
4. Docking under sail because I forgot to check the gas can before I left the dock.
5. I have turned green and puked over the side in rough weather thus recycling my lunch for the fish in the sea.
6. I have been green with envy over someone else's boat, the trip they took to that special island, and the guy with the girl in the bikini on his bow.
7. Liberal use of ethanol, I put it in all my drinks. They even have a green one, I think they call it a Grass Hopper.
So come on up to the lake and save the planet. See you there, I will be the one flying the green spinnaker, wearing the holy, green sailing tee-shirt with a grass-hopper in my hand. | |
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| Relax, Dine by sunset or star light, Swim at midnight, Have unpredictable conversation. |
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 Escape reality and enjoy the peace and serenity of an overnight anchorage away from noise and marinas without chartering on the coast. Dinner and drinks as the sunsets. Go for a star-lit late-night or refreshing morning swim -- or both. Raft up for conversation with current or new friends -- and yes, all boats will have heads or porta-potties. On selected Friday nights, LSA makes it easy. Call for reservations any time (similar to other reserving for clinics and regattas). An LSA instructor will be available to assist with finding a suitable anchorage, help with anchoring and coordinate any 'raft-ups.' Bring your favorite picnic dinner, snacks, drinks and breakfast. You have the option to grill aboard. Friday, Sep. 5 <> Fri, Oct. 3
Leave the dock no later than 7:00pm
Return at your leisure, any time before 12 noon on Saturday
Call 770-614-5724 for reservations
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| Dear Capt. Noah T'all |
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The other day as I was getting ready to get underway, I had a very hard time undoing the cleat hitch. In fact I had to use a screwdriver to loosen it before I could get it off the cleat. I thought cleat hitches were secure but could be easily untied? What's up?
Nott Head
Dear Nott,
You are absolutely correct; when properly tied, the cleat hitch is secure and still is very easy to untie (just like every other properly tied knot). You were the victim of an improperly tied cleat hitch. The problem was that who ever put the boat away before you most likely failed to take a full turn around the cleat before doing the figure 8's and securing with a half hitch. If you fail to make a full turn around the cleat before the figure 8 loops are under pressure from the load (boat) and over time will tighten up to the point where they are almost impossible to loosen up.
How to tie a cleat hitch: Take the line to the ear of the cleat furthest from where the line comes from (the load). Take one full turn (wrap) around the base of the cleat and then start a figure 8 across the top of the opposite ear. Finish with a half hitch turned under so that the line is coming away from the cleat in the opposite direction from which it came in.
To see a couple of helpful videos of how to properly tie this important knot go to the following web sites:
http://www.expertvillage.com/video/6377_sailing-lessons-cleat-hitch.htm
http://www.videos.sailingcourse.com/cleat_hitch.htm
Going Under Browns Bridge -- or Not
Thanks to everybody who responded to last months question" How high would Browns Bridge have to be at full pool for a Catalina 28 to safely navigate under with a 3 foot safety margin?" We received a bunch of correct answers but the winning answer goes to Chris White who also noticed that the full pool level given in the question was 1070 ft above mean sea level, not 1071. The chart Old Capt. Noah used showed 1070. The NOAA web site and many others list it at 1071. 1071 is the right number. The lake level was raised from 1070 to 1071 ten years ago. The lesson here is make sure your information is as recent as you can get it from as many good sources as can get.
By the way, to answer the question, Browns Bridge would need to have an elevation of 1115 feet for a Catalina 28 to safely navigate under it. It has an elevation of 1088 feet. Chris if you can navigate your way to X dock, the Guinness is in the dock house with your name on it.
This month's question is about PROFESSOR G. I. TAYLOR of Cambridge University in England who designed the "plow" anchor. He called it the "CQR". What do the initials "CQR" stand for? |
| Lake Facts and Dam Statistics |
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 Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1950's, Lake Lanier is a multi-purpose lake that provides for flood protection, power production, water supply, navigation, recreation and fish and wildlife management. There are 692 miles of shoreline, and over 100 small islands. The lake is well known for its aqua-blue colored water, spectacular scenery and variety of recreational activities.
Lake Lanier is one of 464 lakes in 43 states constructed and operated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. It has won the best operated lake of the year award in 1990, 1997 and 2002. ( from http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/ )
Related websites
Is there a town under Lake Lanier?
No, when land for constructing the lake was acquired in the early 1950s the area was mostly farmland. The government purchased Land from about 700 families over a 56,000 acre area. The majority of the buildings that were removed or demolished were farmhouses and outbuildings such as barns. (from http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/faqs.htm)
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| Humor :-) |
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I recently turned 65 and had to choose a new primary care physician for my Medicare program. After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, he said I was doing 'fairly well' for my age. A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking him, 'Do you think I will live to be 80?'
He asked: Do you smoke tobacco or drink alcoholic beverages?' 'Oh no,' I replied. 'I don't do drugs, either.'
'Do you have many friends and entertain frequently?' 'I said, 'No, I usually stay home and keep to myself'.
'Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?' I said, 'No, my other doctor said that all red meat is unhealthy!'
'Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like sailing, hiking, or bicycling?' 'No, I don't,' I said.
'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?' 'No,' I said. 'I don't do any of those things.'
He looked at me and said, 'Then why do you give a ----- ?
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| Boat Drinks |
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If you have raced with us in any of the LSA regattas, you know that they are a great way to hone your sailing skills, meet new people and have a fun time. The happy and thirsty regatta crews always appreciate a well prepared committee boat. While it is important to be accurate in the time keeping, fair in the judging and creative in the course selection, it is equally important to set a festive mood for the fleet. Music, dancing and boat drinks can turn a good committee boat crew into a great one. Here's a recipe you might want to try next time you on the hook with the committee boat.
 Committee Boat Pineapple Cocktail
1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
1-ounce vodka
1-ounce orange liqueur, recommended: Cointreau
1/2-ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Turbinado sugar, for the rim (optional)
Fresh wedges of pineapple
Maraschino cherry
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the pineapple juice, vodka, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Cover and shake vigorously, until combined and chilled, about 30 seconds. (In general, by the time the shaker mists up the drink is ready.)
Scatter some turbinado sugar onto a small plate, wet the rim of a chilled martini glass and dip into sugar. Strain the drink into the glass. Skewer the pineapple and cherry and drop into the cocktail. Cheers.
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| Recommended Reading |
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From Ann Kustoff The Youngest Solo Circumnavigator
 Remember what it was like to be 16-years-old and aching for an adventure? For most of us it probably meant escaping on occasional weekend camping trips with friends. But for 16-year-old Zac Sunderland it means attempting to be the youngest person to sail solo around the globe. Zac left Los Angeles on June 17 in Intrepid, the 36-foot sailboat he bought with his own money and outfitted with financial help of sponsors. Zac plans to spend the next 18 months attempting to break the record for the youngest person to solo circumnavigate (the current record is held by an Australian who completed his circumnavigation at age 18). Zac will spend up to six weeks at a time alone at sea between ports of call. Here's an excerpt from Zac's blog: Latest Position: 01.17N, 170.47E 0313UTC 2013PDT 14 August 08 (80 miles from the equator) I had a good night's sleep last night because the wind had died down some. The Clearpoint Weather forecast shows light wind to nothing all around me but I have had a steady 11 knots most of the day and so am moving along pretty well. There haven't been any squalls today but I am ready with my buckets to catch some fresh drinking water. I did see a fishing boat today. I wasn't able to speak to them so I don't know where they were going but it was good to see the AIS radar was still working. Speaking of equipment, my solar panels are putting out more power than the batteries can take. Read more about Zac on his official website http://www.zacsunderland.com and check out his blog to vicariously follow his great adventure http://www.zacsunderland.com/blog/index.html |
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Events, Clinics and Events to meet new friends |
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| Get the most from your PSC Membership
 Friday Night Overnighter Friday, Sept. 5 & Friday Oct. 3 (Leave the dock no later than 7:00pm. Return at your leisure, any time before 12 noon on Saturday). Enjoy the magic of a quiet anchorage and a relaxing sunset meal and drink and swim by the star light. Bring your favorite picnic dinner, snacks, drinks and breakfast. And to make it easy, an LSA instructor will be available to assist with finding a suitable anchorage, help with anchoring and coordinate any 'raft-ups.' Yes, all boats will have heads or porta-potties. Call 770-614-5724 for reservations.
 Special Olympics Open Regatta
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 & 14 (All Day) The Passport Sailing Club is looking for a few good racers to participate in a large regatta on Lake Lanier to benefit the Special Olympics. We will be sponsoring two Capri-22's equipped with top notch skippers, racing sails and spinnakers. Participants will be asked to search & collect corporate donations for this worthy cause. Space is very limited for this one time event !! The price is -- FREE -- to our club members, please call the dock for information and reservations (770) 614-5724.
 Intro to Celestial Navigation Saturday, September 13th, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm When the Moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars, then peace will guide the planets and love will steer the stars. Calling all hippies to participate in our most popular clinic. You can't miss out on this one !!! Have you ever wanted to know how we steer by the stars and planets ?? Please feel free to join us for an overview of Celestial Navigation, where we will provide a peek into celestial bodies, ocean navigation, fun/complicated math and the use of a sextant. The price is -- FREE -- to our club members, please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724  Capri 22 Regatta, Fall Series 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 Race Committee* Sun., Aug. 24, 2:00p Hal Schlenger Sat., Sep. 20, 1:00p Kurt Heckert Sun., Sep. 28, 1:00p Vaughn Roundtree Sat., Oct. 18, 1:00p Bud Bollinger Sun., Oct. 26, 1:00p TBD Sat., Nov. 15, 1:00p TBD  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. As always, BYOB.
 Intro to Outboard Engines Saturday, October 11th, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm OK, so your outboard engine won't start and you've thought about applying extreme violence to cure it's evil ways. We feel your pain and would like to suggest a more peaceful method to help you enjoy your day of sailing. Please join us as we rip apart an outboard engine and describe the inner workings of this demonic beast. We will then attempt to rebuild and restart (after a formal exorcism). The price is -- FREE -- to our club members, please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724.
Sail Trim Clinic
Saturday, November 8th, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
So you have the cooler full and your latest "squeeze" onboard for a fun day on the lake. The sails are set and the boat takes off ---- life is good ! After settling in to that quiet "sailing is cool mode", your squeeze politely asks you why is that other sailboat faster than us ?? You answer their question with an inquisitive grunt and start pulling on any and all sheets to find that your boat is moving even slower. Your squeeze gives you that "do you know what your doing look" that is impossible to address and that you choose to ignore. You are now suffering from STPS (sail tune performace syndrome).
Doctor Val will be treating this syndrome with many fun to learn tips for maximizing your sailing performance. These tips will allow you to overcome STPS and impress your friends and squeezes while improving your boat speed and love life.
The price is -- FREE -- to our club members, please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724
Watch for these Future Clinics
Bareboat Management Tips
Heavy Weather Preparation
Boat Drinks 101
Spinnaker Freaks
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| Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Certification Courses ---- LIVE THE DREAM !! |
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Know your target audience. Who are your most important customers, clients or prospects, and why? Know what is important to them and address their needs in your newsletter each month. Include a photo to make your newsletter even more appealing.
Basic Coastal Cruising and Bareboat Certification Courses ---- LIVE THE DREAM !!
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, October 12 thru Friday, October 17 --- SOLD OUT ---
Sunday, October 19 thru Friday, October 24 -- 2 BUNKS LEFT !!
Sunday, November 9 thru Friday, November 14 --- SOLD OUT ---
Sunday, December 7 thru Friday, December 12 -- SOLD OUT --
We will be posting our 2009 Course Schedule Soon ! Please Stand By !!
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, 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.
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| Humor: Photo Caption |
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 From last month:
<> Is this what Phil means by a "broad reach"?
<> Do you think I'm sexy?
<> Putting on a grass skirt makes everyone sexy.
<> LSA teaches tacking, not tact.
Send your caption (for this photo from Beijing) 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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