 Docklines
Newsletter for L.S.A, a place where you always leave with a smile on your face....and home to the 5th annual ET Challenge Race. |
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| Cultivate new crew by sending this to a friend. |
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Events to Improve your life |
Night Sail
Sat. Aug. 8
Sat. Sept. 9
Sat. Oct. 4
Start: 8pm Overnighter, Raft Up & Camp Out
Fri, Aug. 21
Fri. Sept. 11
Fri. Oct. 9
Start: 7pm
Celestial Navigation Clinic
Sat, August 15
Starrt: 10am
ET Challenge
Sat, Aug 22
Heavy Weather Sailing Clinic
Sat. Sept. 19
Start: 10am
Talk Like a Pirate Day
Sat, Sept. 19
Gotta Regatta
Sat. Sept. 26
Sat. Oct. 17
Start: 2pm
Docking Clinic
Sat. Oct. 10
Start: 10am |
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Hours & NumBers |
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August
Dock Hours
Morning
Session
8:30 am - 2:30pm
Afternoon Session
2:30 pm - 8:30pm
To contact the LSA office:
770-945-8810
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| Volume 40 Issue 8 |
August, 2009 |
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Letter from Matt: |
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It's amazing to see the generosity and volunterism that our club members demonstrate throughout the year. These gracious actions come in many colors and shapes ranging from detailed cleaning of our boats, to providing interesting articles for our newsletter, to donantion of palm trees and a dock flag pole (soon to come), to cooking special deserts for our parties, to staffing the committee boat on regatta days (even when the wind is up) to, to, to ....
I firmly believe that God (how dare I mention God in a club setting) will reward folks that volunteer their time and donate their money for the good of all. Giving seems to leave a warm place in your heart & that warm feeling tends to be infectious. These people know, really know, that it's not all about them.
The staff at LSA wishes to thank the volunteers that make this club the sweet and positive place that it has become. Thank you, thank you, thank you .... |
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The Summer's big party, LSA-style. 19 days & counting. Bringing a new definition to wild |
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 You get people to do what at the ET Challenge Regatta ?
You have to be there to believe it --and best of all, everyone does it smiling.
When it's gals against guys, you can be assured that again our 5th annual "ET" will be the buzz this Summer and the source of stories throughout the Fall.
The E.T. Challenge Regatta is a combination of many challenges ..... sailing skills, motoring skills, scavenger hunt, artistic expressions, creative thinking, crazy attire, water wars, laughter and of course revenge. It's just plain fun !!
After the guys won the first challenge, the gals won the 2nd and 3rd challenge (in spite of running aground mid-day) only to be caught off guard in the 4th challenge. So this is a tie-breaker.
Sign-up now for the Sat, Aug. 22 event. Then start asking questions. And yes, sailing skills can be offset by creativity. And yes, feel free to invite guests to this crazy event.
Call the dock to make reservations for The E.T. Challenge.
(770) 614-5724 ..... Adults Only Please.
If you're up for polite, yet spirited trash talk about which gender is superior, then send a note to chauvinist@earthlink.net
COST: $ 20.00 per person to cover cookout and soft drinks. BYOB. |
| Addition to Our Fleet |
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 OOOH My Goodnesssssss !!!
The Passport Sailing Club has added another boat to our fleet this month. The next time you're visiting the dock, please take a few moments to review the Hunter 280 that is equipped with an inboard diesel, wheel steering, and all of the bells and whistles of a pocket cruiser.
As usual, you must be Breboat Certified (BBC-104) to skipper this vessel. Please feel free to speak to Cindy or Matt at (770) 945-8810 for information about our advance sailing courses in Pensacola Florida and the British Virgin Islands. Another benefit of being Bareboat Certified the Lanier Sailing Academy way !!! |
| What are you doing Sep 19? |
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It's Talk Like a Pirate Day
Aargh, it's always a day to be reckoned with, matey. A day of silliness and bad jokes. To learn more about TLaPD and how to speak like pirate: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html | |
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| Schooner Mania in Maine |
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 Wandering Back in Time
by: Matt
YES !! ..... school boy fantasies were brought to life in Rockland Maine last week. No, it didn't have anything to do with school girls, but a lot to do with going back in time to the sailing world of yesteryear.
We boarded the 67 foot, 137 year old, two masted, dual headsail, engineless, Schooner Stephen Taber for a week of adventure on the high seas. The first morning began with a brisk 20 knot southerly breeze that propelled the ship (anything
over 65' is not a boat) to the isolated northeastern islands of Maine. The ship cruised along at 8 knots with a 4 foot rolling sea, taking some white water over the bow (right out of a Hollywood scene .... so cool !)
The professional crew of six sailed "our schooner" (not theirs) into a picture postcard setting next to Swan Island where we anchored for the evening. Before dinner was served, we shuttled ashore onboard the tender "Babe" to explore the small island and it's historic lighthouse. The few locals we found were very friendly to their southern intruders and stopped to chat to us all. The scenery was just so "Maine" with it's rocky shoreline, quaint houses and the traditional red & white lighthouse.
After rising early, the Stephen Taber headed out in search of a deserted island for a traditional lobster bash on the beach. We anchored off of Wreck Island and explored the uninhabited island in search of that perfect view of ponderosa pine trees, rocky granite cliffs and breezy ocean views. On our return the crew had boiled/cooked several dozen lobsters, corn on the cob, seaweed and hamburgers over a beach side camp fire .... Wow, just like a beer commercial. 
The next day we headed towards the Arcadia National Forest and the towns of Northeast and Southwest Harbor (where the Hinckley Boat Factory is located ..... this is holy ground to the sailing yachtsman). Everyone attacked the small town of Northeast in search of souvenirs, ice cream and trinkets. Before dinner was served, the captain ordered all to shower onboard using a rigged shower curtain and hot water from the wood burning stove .... a bit mid-evil, but fantastic !
On the fourth day out we continued our sail towards the southwest weaving in between numerous islands sprinkled with luxury summer homes and breath-taking coastal views. We dropped anchor a mile or so from the quaint little settlement of North Haven and settled in for an entertaining evening of thunderstorms and another gourmet dinner. 
The morning greeted us with a "pea soup fog bank" that Maine is famous for. Our skipper steered our vessel through the fog and found the perfect anchorage in the small harbor of North Haven. The fog lifted after a morning tour of the little settlement and the Stephen Taber headed towards our home port of Rockland to participate in the Annual Windjammer Parade. The parade featured a dozen large schooners and numerous century old sloops sailing past the Rockland Lighthouse saluting the folks ashore with cannon shot and beauty queen waves. This was the highlight of the week, seeing half of the remaining sailing history of the United State sailing in close quarters and in sight of the cheering public ashore. The evening ended with six large schooners rafting up in the Rockland Harbor complete with tours, chatter, cheese and wine.
Here's the bottom line: The crew was fantastic, the cook was awesome, the ship was historically accurate and sooo coooool, the coast of Maine was picture perfect, the passengers were more than interesting (stories to tell, but can't), the weather was perfect, the folks from Maine were welcoming and a good good good good good time was had by all !!
Oh Boy! It's time to start planning our "2010 Exit Hot-Atlanta Summer Sailing Vacation" !!! Maybe Lake Michigan .... maybe The San Juan Island, Washington ..... maybe Newport Rhode Island ..... maybe, maybe, maybe
Photos courtesy of Vaughn ! |
| Sail the Chesapeake Bay |
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Last Chance ........
Registration Deadline is August 31st !!!
We have confirmed our first boat.
Jeanneau 43 DS (photo on right, Barbie on bow)
NOW taking reservations for our second boat !!
Earn Basic Coastal Cruising BCC-103;
Bareboat Certification BBC-104
Coastal Navigation CNAV-105
or just go for Fun !!
Sun Oct. 4 - Sat Oct. 10
Explore the Chesapeake Bay & VIP Day at the Annapolis Sailboat Show
Sail the Chesapeake Bay while taking your 103, 104 & 105 courses or just come along for the ride. We'll be  visiting the colonial town of Annapolis, Maryland (home of the US Naval Academy). The small fishing & sailing village of St. Michaels (home of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum), the quaint town of Oxford located on the eastern shore of Maryland and of course, a few secluded and picturesque anchorages along the way. Great sailing, great scenery, great seafood, great local history and the largest in-the-water sailboat show in the US.
Price: $ 1,595 per person: Price includes boat, captain, BCC/BBC/CNAV courses, all breakfasts & lunches, two dinners on the anchor, soft drinks and VIP tickets to the US Sailboat Show!
We will be sailing Jeanneau 43's !!
Captain Matt will be your skipper: Matt grew up sailing the Chesapeake Bay and taught advance sailing courses for Annapolis Sailing School for several years while touring the northern bay area.
Our Sailing Itinerary:
Saturday 10/3 Travel Day to Annapolis (drive or fly). Meet and Greet all students. Spend the night onboard our boat iin Annapolis.
Sunday 10/4 Boat Orientation in the AM. Sail south past the Thomas Point Lighthouse into the Rhode River and anchor in Half Moon Bay for a traditional Chesapeake Bay Cookout !
Mondy 10/5 Attend AM Cockpit Class. All day sail and instruction to the Miles River and dock in the historic town of St. Michaels. Tour the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and enjoy a crab feast at the famous Crab Claw Restaurant.
Tuesday 10/6 Attend AM Cockpit Class. All day sail and instruction to the Tred Avon River and dock in the quaint village of Oxford. Choose one of several local seafood restaraunts for cocktail hour and dinner. Enjoy a scenic walking tour of Oxford (it's kinda like Mayberry, you know, Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee, etc.)
Wednesday 10/7 Attend AM Cockpit Class. All day sail and instruction back to Annapolis. Enjoy an evening dinner in the charming colonial downtown area and a walking tour of the historic district of Annapolis.
Thursday 10/8 Attend the U.S. Sailboat Show (VIP Day) and board hundreds of fantasy yachts. Keep the checkbook at home! Spend the night back onboard/in our marina.
Friday 10/9 Attend AM Cockpit Class. All day sail and instruction to the Magothy River and anchor off Gibson Island, home of the rich and famous Chesapeake sailors. Enjoy a cookout on the hook, a colorful fall sunset and the varied wildlife of the Chesapeake.
Saturday 10/10 Sail back to Annapolis with great memories of the Chesapeake Bay, your new sailing skills and some new sailing friends. Drive home in the PM or crash/find a hotel to enjoy the long lost creature comforts (long hot showers, big beds, TVs, flushing heads, etc.)
Sunday 10/11 Travel back to Atlanta and reality.
Come visit The Chesapeake Bay Area and "The Land of Pleasant Living" for some of the best sailing in the country. Also tour and admire several hundred sailboats at the U.S. Sailboat Show ("www. usboat.com"). For more information on this once in a lifetime sailing adventure call Matt at (770) 614-5724 or just corner him at the dock :-)
Don't delay .... this trip/course will sell out fast ! |
| Dear Capt. Noah T'all: Planning a Getaway |
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 Dear Capt. Noah T'all,
I would like to plan a cruise and don't know where to start. Can you give me any tips about the things that I need to consider?
Eddy Outahere
Eddy,
It's easy. Throw a dart at a chart to pick your destination. Then it's just a matter of planes, trains and automobiles to get you there. Pick out a nice looking boat that should be floating somewhere near, point it that a way and off you go.
If you would like learn about the various destinations before selecting one, consider the following:
1. Invest in a cruising guide for the area that you plan to visit. The guide will supply all kinds of helpful hints on itineraries, anchorage's, clearing customs, travel times and routes, places to eat drink and be merry and places to avoid.
2. Local knowledge- Take advantage of your LSA club membership and let it be known at the dock that you are going to X on the chart. Odds are that someone has already been to X and can give you the first hand XXX skinny.
3. Local knowledge the sequel - Take advantage of the charter companies local knowledge via email, web-site and telephone.
Once you've selected a destination, learn more before you go:
1. The Internet is a great tool and to be honest I sometimes wonder how Columbus found America without it. That being said, do not take the information off the web as gospel. In the words of somebody, somewhere once upon a time - Trust but verify.
2. A chart of the area you plan to cruise. It's not only helpful to chart out your trip so you have a better idea what to expect, it adds to the pre-cruise excitement to keep your chart in your desk drawer at work to sneak a peak from time to time.
3. Get the tide tables for the area you plan to cruise. Knowing when the big water and little water happen as well as the strength of the tidal flow is some times critical to when you can and can not use a channel or enter or exit a harbor or marina.
4. Find a weather site on the Internet that services the area you plan to be in. Monitor it during the pre-cruise weeks to get a feel for the average wind and sea conditions. Will it rain every day at 5 o'clock for 30 minutes? No big deal but helpful to know.
5. Finally, when planing don't try to do too much. Trust me, you won't get underway at daybreak everyday, if ever. The wind, waves and good times will conspire to slow you down. The whole idea of a cruise is to get away and relax. If you plan your legs modestly the worst that will happen is you will hoist the cocktail pendant earlier in the day.
6. Finally - Have a good time
Last time we asked "when are you on a boat or ship?" Technically you are never on a boat or ship you are in it. If you asked Horatio Hornblower about his ship he would reply "I serve in HMS Lively 38." (His Majesties Ship Lively, 38 guns) or you would say "my grandparents came to America in Queen Mary."
For next time - If you overhear a seaman speak of '60 D St.' is he referring to the address of his girlfriend, the address of the marina, the address of the bar or something else?
Sail Safe,
Capt. Noah |
| Earn Your Sailing Merit Badges |
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 Contest Update!!
The demented folks at the Passport Sailing Club have created "The Scurvy Sailor Merit Contest" in an effort to understand the fun challenges of the sailing lifestyle.
A list of thirty (30) sailing merit badges have been compiled below. These tasks/badges are designed to expose, promote and recognize the true masters of the Lake Lanier Sailing Lifestyle.
Here are a few updates:
<> Several members have been seen/documented backing their boats into our slips stern first. (Matt's doing his best to stay calm.)
<> One member was reported/photographed sailing naked. We won't name names but ...... good job Dick !
<> Several beers were shared with a fellow member that held up to the torture of "sailing with his mother in law". Good Job John!
More updates to follow .... NOTE to Club members: This contest is a self paced marathon that began June 1st and continuing through the 2010 E.T. Challenge. Special prizes will be rewarded to the scurvy-est and crazy-est sailors of The Passport Sailing Club !
3rd place prize is a set of Foul Weather Gear from Gil with a retail value of $ 150 !
2nd place prize is a Free Coastal Nav. Course (CNAV 105) with a retail value of $ 325 !!
1st place prize is a Basic Keelboat Course (3 days) for a friend or spouse with a retail value of $ 585 !!!
 Partial List of Merit Badges/ChallengesWin (3) PSC Club races/regattas (same day)
Sail with your Mother in law on Lake Lanier
Lose (3) PSC Club races/regattas (same day)
Provide an interesting article for our newsletter
Dock a boat stern first into a PSC slip
Wear the best "Yacht Club Costume" to the 2009 E.T. Challenge
Sail with your boss on Lake Lanier
Sail/boat in 100 degree heat
Sail naked without getting arrested
Tie Knots: double beckett bend, flying bowline, bowline, monkey's fist and thieves knot (same day)
Refer/register a friend for a BKB course
Photo of you with Foxy (in BVI's)
Sail with your teenage daughter (happily)
Sail to the bridge & dam on the same day
Sing your favorite Jimmy Buffet song at a regatta party
Merit badge check off sheets will be available and maintained at the dock for all participants.
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| Can't Stop Smiling |
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Shallow Thought by Honez My lovely bride of twenty some odd (very odd at times) years will sometimes look at me and tell me to wipe that silly grin off my face and get serious about something or the other she wants me to do or expects me to hear and remember. Normally when this happens I have checked out mentally to someplace else. Someplace like last weekend on the lake when I was out in ten knot breezes in July. That's right, ten knots in July and before you ask, there were no thunder boomers in sigh ---- perfect wind without complications. This brings me to last Thursday. I was flying back from Minneapolis, the land of 10,000 lakes (of which I saw nary a one). To combat my boredom on the flight, I decided to play a slide show of my favorite sailing pictures on the old laptop. The slide show is made up of a collection of pictures that have been taken everywhere from the Chesapeake to Key West, lovely lake Lanier and the Caribbean. They include shots from the old LSA houseboat to the new palatial LSA digs on X Dock. They include outtakes from the ET Challenge, Poker Run, regattas, cookouts, snorkeling the reefs of the keys, sailing in 26 degree weather in February in P'cola and dodging mud flats on the Chesapeake. My seatmate thought my pictures where more interesting than her book, so I told her to pull up a rum, and I'd give her the nickel tour. We spent the rest of my battery going through the various albums of all the beautiful beaches, happy people, outrageous parties, beautiful sunsets, boats just being boats and most of all sailors just being sailors. As we prepared to land, she said that sailor folk must be the happiest people in all the world. "What makes you think that," I asked. "Well," says she, "I just sat through an hour slide show and in all of the 527 slides, I did not see one person who did not have a silly grin on their face." That got me to thinking. You know she was right. You can't spend a day on a boat or anytime at all with a sailor without breaking out into a grin. Your face just won't bend any other way. So come on up to lake and turn that frown upside down. It doesn't matter what your mood is when you arrive. When you leave, it will be with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. I, too, will one with the silly grin on my face. _/) Cheers! Honez |
| Clinics and Events to meet new friends |
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Get the most from your PSC Membership
 Friday Night Raft Up & Camp OutFriday, August 21 Friday, September 11
Friday, October 9
(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.
 Full Moon Night Sail
This is the most popular event offered by the Passport Sailing Club, sooooooooo open up your calendar, call your squeeze and make the commitment for a romantic adventure that he/she will remember forever.
We'll provide our largest boats, our nicest skippers and the most romantic setting in Georgia. You just need to bring your best squeeze and a picnic basket to the dock just prior to sunset.
Don't miss out on these funtastic night sailing adventures !!
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724
The cost of this popular club event is FREE !!!
Dates:
Saturday, August 8 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, September 5 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, October 4 @ 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 1 @ 7:00 pm
Celestial Navigation Clinic
Saturday August 15th, 10am til 1pm
Have you ever wondered how the sailors navigated around the world 100 years ago ? Would you be interested in learning the "manual GPS method" ..... just in case the big one comes while you're chartering in paradise :-)
Come join Chris Albright as he explains basic celestial navigation theory, sextants and variouos formulas/tables in an interactive classroom setting.
The price is FREE to our club members.
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724
 E.T. Challenge Regatta ( Estrogen vs Testosterone ..... Gals vs Guys)
Saturday August 22nd, 11:00 am til 7:00 pm
Ohhh Noooo ...... So you've heard the crazy stories about our all day, all lake, summer regatta that pits the ladies against the gentlemen for a fun filled day of sailing, racing, scavenger hunting, poker running and just plain clowning around. Circle your calendars, farm out the kids, notify your attorney and plan on some crazy adult fun !
Stay tune for more details concerning the 2009 ET Challenge !
Call the dock to save your spot(s) (770) 614-5724
Heavy Weather Sailing Clinic
Saturday September 19th, 10am til 1pm
Have you ever wondered how the offshore sailors manage thier boats in heavy winds and high seas ? Please come and join us for an interactive presentation that demonstrates harsh conditions and possible solutions. We'll meet in the classroom for a big screen presentation and lecture.
The price is FREE to our club members.
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724
Docking Clinic
Saturday, October 10th, 10am til 1pm
OK .... you're out having the best sailing day of your life and then ....... you start thinknig about the return trip back to the dock and the nasty task of docking the boat. Oooooh Nooooooo !!!
Come join us for a detailed overview of docking ..... designed to take away your DSS (Dock Stress Syndrome). We'll have some white board stuff followed by some hands on stuff.
The price is FREE to our club members.
Please call the dock for reservations (770) 614-5724
Capri 22 Fall Regatta Series
Please mark these dates in your calendar and get ready to have more regatta fun !!
Saturday September 26th
Saturday October 17th
Sunday October 25th
Saturday November 14th
Sunday November 22nd
Look for These Future Clinics
Spinnaker Clinic
Anchoring Clinic
Coastal Navigation Clinic
The Fine Art of Making Island Style Fruit Punch :-) |
| Basic Coastal Cruising & Bareboat Certification Courses in Pensacola Florida |
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Pensacola BCC & BBC Courses
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 helm. 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 !!
Experience the only Basic Coastal Cruising & Bareboat Certification Course in the country that provides a student teacher ratio of 4 to 1. Most schools offer 6 to 1 or worse.
2009 BCC & BBC Schedule for Pensacola $ 1350.00 per person (6 days & 5 nights)
Sunday, October 11 thru Friday October 16 -- SOLD OUT :-(
Sunday, November 8 thru November 13 -- SOLD OUT :-(
Sunday, December 6 thru December 11 -- 1 BERTH LEFT !!!
These award winning classes are in big demand and will typically sell out several months prior to the start date. Don't delay !!
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: <> Aqua-phobia Regatta (Randy Johnson)
Blefuscudian Regatta (photo courtesy of Gulliver of Lilliput) (Randy Johnson)
<> Are you supposed to yell "starboard" from on shore?
<> Trust me. My boat didn't touch yours.
<> In another attempt at expense reductions ..... Matt has made a few "small" changes to our club regattas (Samantha Smartass)
<> OK, I really do need new glasses (George Kastansia) 
Deadline is the 20th of this month
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| Contact The Passport Sailing Club |
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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 may have the best possible sailing experience. |
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