The past week has been a very eventful one.  It was my pleasure to attend the New Members' Night where a large crowd of members, both new and experienced, gathered to honour our New Members from the past year with a reception and presentation.  I wanted to thank the Membership Committee for their continued work on this project and I would like to, again, extend a welcome to our New Members.

New Members' Night will also be remembered as exciting for another reason as well.  On this cold, spring night, we had to evacuate the building due to a small fire that erupted under the deck flashing outside of Duffy's Lounge.  Due to some quick thinking members and our staff, the fire outside was identified and put out with an extinguisher and 911 was called.  Upon the arrival of the fire department, our Bar Manager noticed a continued smell of smoke by the bar area.  When the firemen used a heat sensor on the floor of Duffy's they found a hotspot under the floor.  Upon opening up the ceiling in the Kids' room, they found embers and a stretch of about a foot and a half of scorched rafters.  This could have been a disaster for us. With the high winds that night and one cigarette butt, our pride and joy could have gone up in smoke.  Again, I thank those members and staff who were so vigilant and acted quickly to have this contained.  We were very lucky on a number of fronts and basically our procedures worked.

In response to this though, it was suggested by many members over the weekend that we expand our policy regarding our non-smoking areas.  A Policy was agreed to in principle by the Board and presented by motion to the Membership at the General Meeting this past Monday night.

The Motion was:  to prohibit smoking within 6m (20') of the clubhouse structure (this includes the upper patio, upper deck, utility area outside the office, the storage space on the East side of the building, and under the overhang outside the children's room).  An amendment was added and approved by the Membership that extended the reach of this policy to include "all club buildings with the exception of the Gazebo".

This is now Policy passed by a substantial number of Members and I ask all members to respect it.  Signs will be placed in strategic locations around the Club buildings to remind members of their obligation.  I wish to thank all members who attended our General Meeting and expressed their opinions on both sides of the issue.

Respectfully submitted,  

Rick Humphrey, Commodore  

commodore@abyc.on.ca

10 Year Pins were presented to Celia Lum & Howard Franklin and Kerry Humber. 

Photo - BCaron

Other 10 year pin recipients who were absent were:

Kirk and Tracey Cameron

Roy Little and Lynne Gingras

Jeff DeJean and Lori Marchildon

Murray and Linda MacDonald

Finley and Sophie McEwen

Jaan and Tina Timusk

25 Year Pins were presented to:

Linda & Haig DeRusha, Sy Wassenaar and Thanos Kaponeridis. 

Photo - BCaron

Other 25 year recipients who were absent were:

Kathleen Walker and Jonathon Lewis

Tom Gilas and Pat Murphy 

50 Year Membership Pins were presented to:

Life Member Gord Buchanan who joined ABYC in 1963 

Photo - BCaron

Life Members Rick & Dianne Bott.  Rick became a Junior Member in 1958 and a Senior Member in 1963.  Dianne became active in ABYC in 1963.  It must be mentioned that Rick's father, Dennis Bott Sr., a Past Commodore of ABYC is also a Life Member and a 50+ year Member.

Photo - BCaron

Photo - BCaron

Skip Jones joined ABYC in 1959 and can often be seen with his wife Shirley sailing (and rowing) their beautiful Folkboat Nancy Blackett.

Past Commodore Carolyn Weckesser discussed upcoming fall elections with 4 Board positions up for election.  There will be more information about this throughout the summer. 

The 2013 winter lecture series ended last Thursday, April 18th with an excellent presentation by Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director of Waterfront Regeneration Trust.  Marlaine took us on a journey along the Ontario and Lake Erie Waterfront from Lakeshore which is west of Windsor right into Quebec along the St. Lawrence.  This Waterfront trail designed for walkers and bicycles was driven for many years by former Mayor David Crombie.  While the Trail still has a few small gaps in several of the 68 communities it touches it is getting closer every year to being a complete linkage. along and as close as possible to the Waterfront of Lakes Erie and Ontario.

As part of her presentation she shared with us an artist's rendition of the new Queen's Quay which will be completed in 2014 with the current west bound lanes converted completely to walking and cycling.   

Marlaine's presentation was followed by a lively 20 minute Q&A lead by Dave Gilbert who is very knowledgeable about the Trail.

Marlaine's presentation ended another successful lecture series which kicked off in January with Diane Reid bringing us up to date on her progress to the start line for the 2013 Mini Transat.  As we speak Diane is finishing her qualifying races in France.

Unfortunately our 3 hour Weather Seminar in February had to be cancelled for of all things bad weather when Toronto's biggest snowstorm of the year blew into town.  We expect to re-schedule this for next year.

In March we had a very entertaining presentation by Toronto Historian Mike Filey who took us back in time with his photographs and stories of Toronto in days past and then juxtaposition this against the same areas as they appear today.

Thank you to all the members who came out to the lectures and to those who presented and made this lecture series possible  

- from Grant Dietrich, Dinghy Fleet Captain

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This year we have reinvested a portion of the revenue from the past few years to purchase some new sails to replace some that were over 30 years old.

This year ABYC will be hosting the Ontario Laser Master's Championship so what better time to get into the class.

Anyone interested in the dinghy co-op program can contact me for more information.

grant@torbridge.ca

- from Anthony Mirvish, Crane Committee Chair 

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This year's launch for the crane boats will take place on Saturday, April 27 starting at 8 AM for both cranes.  Launch will be completed in one day and will include the boats on the hydraulic trailers.  Unlike some other years, there will be no launch activities on Friday.
 
Prior to launch, I will be completing a full survey of all crane boats with respect to cradles, sling marks, keel marking and cradle markings, and boat measurement.   Each of these activities is important for the efficient operation of the crane operation, especially for the haulout in the fall.
 
The keel and cradle marking will take place a few days prior to launch.  Please do not paint over any of the keel marks unless your boat has multiple marks on her keel and you want to clarify which mark is correct.  These marks are important for placing the boats in their cradles in the fall.  Likewise, the small CL marks on the cradles should not be painted over.  These marks are used when we place the cradles in the fall and they are extremely important to ensuring a correct yard layout.  Your cooperation in this matter appreciated.
 
The cradle and sling mark checks are being instituted because we still have too many boats that lack fully compliant cradles and sling marks.   Improper sling marks place your boat at risk when we lift it in the fall and can greatly lengthen the amount of time required to place the boat in the cradle.  We all pay for this in terms of increased crane time.  Please take advantage of your boat being out of the water to mark/adjust sling lifting marks so that the slings will clear the cradle pads and through hulls (it is recognized that in some cases, the cradle pads cannot be completely avoided).  I am happy to help anyone who has questions about the best lifting points.  The cradle compliance review will look at the general framing of the cradle and the number of pads.  Your cooperation is appreciated in this matter.
 
Anyone who does not want their cradle stored should contact Jeff Dejean or me.  Otherwise, you can expect your cradle to be folded and stored as soon as possible after your boat has been launched.
 
Please watch this space for additional announcements during the weeks prior to launch. 

- from Alison Booz, Dock ladies Coordinator 

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All members are reminded to install your mooring lines before Saturday, April 27 Launch.  Please install your dock lines and tire lines.  The Club has two aluminum boats with outboards that you can borrow to help you install your mooring lines on your tires.  As well, remember to install copper keepers on all your mooring lines so they don't work loose during the season.

Having your dock and tire lines installed before Launch will help the Dock Ladies help you tie up your boat quickly and safely.  Thank you for helping make our job easier!

SATURDAY, APRIL 27th 2013 - ABYC LAUNCH CRANE AREA SMALL AND LARGE  

Volunteer Boat Riders needed (Remember to wear your life jacket PFD, appropriate safe shoes and warm clothes.)

Saturday, April 27th - early start 8:00 AM UNTIL 5:00 PM

CONTACT:  Emily Sawolak

     CELL :   416-254-5413

Please confirm your attendance as soon as possible before April 23rd.