Dear Capt. Noah,
 

I was sailing with some friends a few weeks ago when a big gust blew my favorite hat off my head and into the water.  I watched sadly as it slowly drifted away in our wake.  My question is where can I get one of those hat clips that I see a lot of sailors wearing on their hats to keep them from blowing away?
Fred Fedora
 
Fred,
 
Never leave a hat behind!  Not only were you polluting the lake, you missed a perfect chance to practice your crew overboard (COB) drill.  Everyone should practice their crew-overboard drill or at least discuss it with their crew every time they set sail.  Unfortunately, most sailors don't.  However, the gods of Wind, Heel, Pitch & Roll never rest.  From time to time give us an opportunity to practice COB without actually putting one of our crew-members in the water.   The next time a hat, koozie or mother-in-law goes into the water, don't just say "oh well" and let it go.  Go get it!
 
In case you have forgotten, below are the steps to performing a figure eight crew overboard recovery.
 
Figure Eight Crew Overboard Recovery  (S.T.A.R.T.)
 
1.  S  = Sound the Alarm! Shout, "man overboard!"
2.  T = Throw a PFD or anything else that floats, leave a crumb trail of flotsam back to the victim if possible.
3.  A= Assign a spotter.  The spotter never takes his/her eyes off of the victim.
4.  R = Reach.  Helmsman immediately steers to a beam reach.   Crew preps heaving line, boarding ladder blankets and jackets.
5.  T = Tack.  After sailing long enough for the crew to get prepared, the helmsman commands the crew to prepare to come about.  As the boat tacks, the crew trims the mainsail but not the jib; this slows the boat's speed and frees crew to assist in the recovery. The jib sheets will form a loop in the water, leave them there, this gives the victim something to grasp as the boat comes near.
 
Helmsman bears away on new course - Spotter continues to give directions to the helmsman.
 
Helmsman heads up to the victim on a close reach leaving the victim in the lee of the boat.  Luff the main to stop the boat to windward of the victim. Recover the victim and treat them for hypothermia.
 
By the way you can pick up a hat clip to keep your hat attached to you at any West Marine.  For a few dollars more you can pick up a tether and harness to keep you attached to the boat. 

 
Last month's question of what is the green flash was answered by Hal - The green flash is the flash of light (green in color) seen at the moment the sun that drops below the horizon when setting for the evening.  Of course, one shouldn't be staring directly at the sun lest one go blind.  However, I can personally vouch for rum providing sufficient eye protection because my cousin and I were able to see the green flash from Anagoda.
 
The green flash periodically seen at LSA is more likely to come from brief exposures of moldy skin caused by infrequent visits to the dock.  This is typical when warm-weather sailors return from a winter of staying home.  Such is spring time at LSA.
 
For next time:  What is the difference between astern & abaft, and abeam & beam? 
 
Safe Sailing,
Capt. Noah T'all

Shallow Thought by Honez

If you haven't been to lake recently, you need to hurry.  Strange things are happening!  Leggett Beach is shrinking. Val's Reef is sinking beneath the surface and the Red Clay Cayes are slipping away one by one. Two Mile Cape is being washed apart; I have heard talk that before it is all over, they will be calling it the Three Sisters. 
 
Mysteriously, the water level is rising in the lake.  Find it hard to believe?  Want facts?  On December 9, 2008 the lake level was 1050.98 ft above mean sea level.  That is 20 feet below normal full pool of 1071 ft.  As of  April 22, the level of the lake is 1063.48 ft.  That is only 7.5 ft below full pool.  In just 4 months or so the lake level has risen 12.5 ft.
 
What's causing the water to rise and what are we gonna do about it?  I have heard many theories around the dock.  One is that the CO 2 being put in the air by that Cigarette Boat that runs up and down the lake at 9 zillion decibels is causing severe Regional Global Warming which is melting the Alpine Glaciers in the North Georgia mountains and the run off is filling the lake.  Another idea is that the Corp of Engineers finally got smart and hired the Little Dutch Boy to stick his finger in the hole to stop the dam leak.  Some have suggested that it has rained a lot recently.  Finally, one of the ever practical sailors at the dock asked if anyone had checked the tide tables? 
 
So who is right?  Regional Global Warming sounds a little oxy-moronic to me and it snowed at the lake about three weeks ago.  (However, if they want to outlaw Cigarette Boat Boy, I vote Aye!)  The Corp of Engineers getting smart sounds kinda weak too. The raining a lot theory is just all wet. 
 
Well of course it's the coming of High Tide.  Need proof:  a rising tide lifts all boats.  Look around the dock, the boats are all floating higher.  I rest my case.
 
What are we going to do about it? Run about and scream and shout?  The high water level is not a time to panic people, it is a time to celebrate, have a party, and sacrifice a virgin.  As high tide approaches (1071 ft), we must gather on the LSA dock every weekend after sailing the ever expanding depths of Lake Lanier to celebrate each new milestone with a toast to the moon (the bringer of high tides) and listen to the Outlaw's singing "Green Grass and High Tides Forever".  Hope to see you there.  I'll be the one chatting up the virgin.

_/)  Honez

2009 Spring & Summer Regatta Series     

Break open your new 2009 calendars and circle these dates !!  The warm weather is just around the corner and the Spring & Summer Regatta Series will be here before you know it !  Come to one or all of the races/cookouts ... whatever your schedule/family will allow.

 

Race 1 --- Saturday May 16       TBD

Race 2 --- Sunday May 31         TBD

Race 3 --- Saturday June 20      TBD

Race 4 --- Sunday June 28        TBD

 

Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724.  Food & soft drink fee of $20  BYOB

 

 

Capri 22 Match Racing

Sunday, May 17 -- 3:00 pm til 8:00 pm

Sunday, June 21 -- 3:00 pm til 8:00 pm

 
We are looking at putting together a third team to be captained by Hal Schlenger. If you are interested please e-mail Kurt at laniersail@mindspring.com.

 

Please join Michael Blanchard for a three hour adventure into the Art of Flying a Spinnaker.  We will review the tools and techniques necessary to use a spinnaker safely, followed by a test drive. 

 

Beware, this clinic is rated WTMF (way too much fun !) and is meant for the crazy at heart !!

 

The price is FREE to our club members.  Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724.

 

 

Friday Night Overnight / Camp Out

Look for These Future Clinics
Understanding the Weather
Bareboat Management Tips

Sail Making & Repairs

Celestial Navigation

Sailing with Clowns  :-)

 

Lanier Sailing Academy and The Passport Sailing Club has organized a six day fantasy sailing trip onboard the 135 year old schooner "Stephen Tabor".  We'll be sailing from our homeport of Rockland exploring the picturesque coast of Maine and participating in the Rockland Windjammer Parade.

  

Where: The Coast of Maine

 

When: July 12 thru 18

 

Cost: 

Boat and meals: $937; typical airfare: $350

 

Extras: The Rockland Windjammer Parade, experience old style sailing, participate as crew or just hang out, gourmet food, sight seeing ashore, cool summer evenings and a few surprises.  

 

To discuss the details or register, please call Cindy or Matt at(770) 945-8810.  Also, feel free to log onto the schooner Stephen Tabor's website: www.stephentaber.com for more dream material.

 

Just another fun activity from The Passport Sailing Club.