Docklines from the Passport Sailing Club

Water, wind and good friends...
Ready to make a good time when you are. 
Tings ta read
Capt Phil's View
Summer Hours & Procedures
Join Us on 36' Terra Nova
Save the Date: July 3
Chasing Clouds
Photo captions needed
Clinics & Events
Cultivate new crew by sending this to a friend.
Tings ya wanna do
Getting
Bareboat
Certified
Hours
& NumBers
June Hours
 
Weekdays 
 Monday thru Fridays
 10:00am - 5:00pm
 
Weekends
Morning
  8:30am - 2:30pm
  
Afternoon
   2:30pm - 8:30pm

To Reserve

 a Boat,
please call the dock
770-614-5724

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Volume 46 Issue 6
June, 2015
Sails from the Dockside

 

For a while I thought we had skipped spring and the winds that come with it and gone straight to summer. This past week has proven that to be wrong. The temperatures have dropped a bit and the winds have picked back up.

 

I am starting to see many of the faces of folks that disappeared over the winter months and I'm looking forward to seeing more of you on the dock and catching up on how you have been doing and where you have sailed.

 

So Memorial Day is the unofficial beginning of boating season on Lake Lanier. You will start to see the lake fill with many power boats and jet skis. With this increase in traffic, it is our responsibility as prudent seaman to remind ourselves of the rules of the road and boating etiquette. Many of these power craft are not aware of the rules of the road so I caution you in believing they are going to abide by them. So be safe and keep a good lookout (Rule 5) to protect you crew and your vessel.

 

If you need to clear out some of those cob webs or just want to get some confidence back since your last sail, come sign-up for the BKB Review Clinic on June 6th, 10 o'clock at the dock.

Since there will be more traffic coming in and out of Holiday Marina, this is a good time to discuss the infamous "No Wake Zone" we pass through when exiting and entering the marina.

  1. You will notice the markers that identify the no wake zone.
  2. Power boats should be at idle speed while in this zone.
  3. Sailboats should be at sufficient speed to maintain steerage.
  4. Sailing in this area is prohibited unless you have no other source of power and/or has been approved by LSA dock staff.

Be safe,

Phil

Summers Dock Hours

 

Heads up; the summer dock hours will start June 1st. The dock will be manned 7 days a week. We will open at 10:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.  

 

If you would like to keep a boat out past 5:00, you need to confirm this with the dock staff. All boats must be anchored or back at the dock by sunset. Also, be aware that there is no dock support once we close. Any emergencies will need to be handled by the skipper and crew. Each boat box has the Tow Boat U.S. contact information.

 

Session one of the weekend hours will be 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM. The second session will be 2:30 to 8:30. Boat utilization after hours must be approved by dock staff. Again, all boats must be anchored or back at the dock by sunset.

 

Boat reservation process is still the same. No earlier than 9:00 AM on Wednesday for a boat on Saturday and no earlier than 9:00 AM on Thursday for Sunday reservations. Members should still call for boats during the weekdays. No earlier than 72 hours from when you want a boat and you can have the boat for the entire day.

 

We look forward to seeing you on the dock again.  

Terra Nova- Our largest boat in the fleet

 

Many of you have been working hard to get your 103/104 certifications. It is great to see that and I look forward to seeing some new skippers on the diesel boats.

 

Many of you are eager to sail out on the Catalina 36 "Terra Nova." She is a fine sailing vessel and has been a great addition to our fleet. With this larger boat, there are more things that you as a skipper and your crew need to be aware of. Because things are bigger on this boat, the cost of repairs is greater. For this reason, we have established a few additional requirements for those wanting to sail this vessel.

  1. You must be 103 and 104 certified and a current club member to skipper this boat.
  2. You must have at least one BKB 101 certified person on your crew.
  3. You must take out any one of the smaller diesel boats for a minimum of three times.
  4. You must have taken the Big Boat Clinic (June 20- max 6 seats, 1 left, 10 o'clock at the dock), or completed a boat check-out with dock staff.
  5. You must complete the Check In/Out Agreement. There is an increase of the insurance deductible from the normal Passport Sailing Club deductible from $1000 to $2000.

I look forward to seeing this boat underway more. If you have questions about skippering her, please feel free to give us a call or grab us at the dock.

 

Remember, next Big Boat Clinic is June 20th, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the dock. We are restricting the class size to 6 people to allow for all participants to get some time maneuvering this boat. We have one seat left. Call the dock, 770-614-5724 to sign up.

 

As always, have fun and be safe,

Capt. Phil

2015 Regatta Series Results
Peter sounding horn at finish  

Let me start by giving my most humble apology for not having these results available.  

 

The first regatta was a wash due to wind being 0 kts. gusting to 1. The results for the last regatta have been lost. I have since come up with a better plan on keeping track of race results and ensure I will do a better job of compiling and posting these results.

 

Again, please except my apology.   Phi 

Let's See How Many People We Can Get on the Dock: July 3 

 

Each year, we have had a "little" family friendly 4th of July celebration that is highlighted with the University Yacht Club fireworks display across from us in Big Creek. This year's display will be July 3rd.

 

With July 3rd being a Federal holiday, I think we should try to change this from a "little" celebration to one that we will remember. Folks usually start showing up late afternoon for a dinner and social with the fireworks starting around 9 PM. And maybe to social, we'll have a knot tying contest or trivia contest before the fireworks.

 

LSA will be grilling hamburgers (sliders) and hot dogs (rollers) around 6 PM and the dockside cooler will have sodas and water. Feel free to bring your own cooler of your favorite beverage. All members are encouraged to bring a side dish that you typically have at your July 4th celebrations and would like to share with other club members.

 

Folks also usually bring a folding chair to be able to set on the dock and get a good view and carry on some conversations with some folks.

 

Please call the dock and let us know how many you are bringing so we can be sure to have enough sliders and rollers. 770-614-5724.

Chasing Clouds

 Einstein sailing

Dear Capt. Noah T'all,


I have another question that comes from following the Volvo Ocean Race. The reporters were talking about the boats "chasing clouds" in search of more wind. What do clouds have to do with wind? Can you really find more wind under clouds?  

 

Saul Wellengood

 

Saul,

 

Clouds are pushed along by the wind, right? So if you could somehow hook onto a cloud it would pull you along like an oversized cotton candy balloon, right? So what you do is take a stout piece of line and tie it into a lariat, sneak up on the cloud and from the masthead, lasso the cloud and it will pull you peacefully along. NOT! What a chuckle head, you will believe anything.

 

The truth of the matter is that cumulus clouds, the white puffy ones do act as mini high pressure systems. So on large lakes or at sea, you can sometimes find a little extra wind on the edges of the clouds, typically there will be more wind just in front of the cloud and the least wind at the trailing edge. As with all high pressure systems, stay out of the middle -- that will be a no wind zone.  This is not an exact science and clouds need to be going where you need them to take advantage. Racers know there may be a knot or two to be found on the edge of a cloud.

 

You do need to be alert to the changing nature of cumulus clouds. If they continue to rise and begin to darken and they are no longer cute little cotton balls but the towering cumulonimbus clouds with anvil tops better known as thunder heads. These clouds are dangerous because they can produce violent down drafts with truly scary wind speeds, heavy rain and lightning.

 

So if you choose to go chasing clouds, just remember, white puffy cotton balls are ok, but always avoid tall dark anvil heads.

 

Till next time

Sail Safe,

Capt. Noah T'all

Log Cabin Sailing 

   

I was hanging out with a group of friends and family recently when the conversation turned to how complicated modern society is. This invariably led to a nostalgic wish from some to jump in the Way Back Machine to a time when we lived much more simply and horse power meant exactly that.  

 

The day started at sunrise and ended at sunset because that was what nature intended; also candles were ridiculously expensive, burned up quickly and weren't that bright to start with. It was a time of early to bed and early to rise, eight hours of sleep is a lot easier to get when you don't have the Tonight Show to wait up for. Also you tended to stay in bed all night, let's face it, things have to be pretty bad to get out of a nice cozy bed stuffed with straw to go out into the dark night to a shack covering a hole in the ground, and once finished, a corn cob would help you complete the task and back through the dark to your straw mattress. Sounds delightful, sorry I missed it.  

 

I know what you're thinking -- what about our sailor fore-fathers who only asked for a tall ship and star to sail her by. Surely to sail the seas on a ship powered only by the wind, free to go anywhere you wanted was the purest expression of freedom. Well, not anywhere upwind. Back in the day ships did not sail to windward very well, so you could starve to death when your hardtack and green water (no refrigeration and no water purification systems) ran out whilst you were tacking left and right and gaining a mile a day to windward. So downwind it was, even if that meant you had to sail much further to get there, at least you would be moving.  

 

Another place you never wanted to go was a lee shore. If the wind was against you or the tide set in the wrong direction there was no cranking up the old diesel to motor yourself out of trouble. Lee shores smashed up so many ships, and drowned so many sailors that even today with modern aids to tell us how far off the shore we are, up to minute tide information and last but not least, motors, to save ourselves, if all else fails, even modern sailors still shudder at the mention of the dreaded lee shore.

 

Ok, still not convinced. Let's go on board and get underway. First things first; time to raise the anchor. First, gather two thirds of the crew at the anchor windless and walk mindlessly around it until you manage to get the anchor on board.   Now, let's raise the sails; find the halyard, now find the winch....surprise, there is no winch, only you and your manly Popeye forearms to raise hundreds of pounds of very stiff and heavy canvas to the masthead. No super light-weight space age plastic sails for you, me hearty.  

 

That was hard; let's go below for a break, shall we. The first thing you notice is it is dark Candles are still expensive, not that bright to start with and oh yeah, you are on a wooden ship covered in flammable tar so their use is strictly limited. You also notice that everything's wet. This is because while wooden ships are water tight, they most certainly are not water proof. This you discover to your chagrin when you learn that part of your daily duties is to spend a couple of hours on the manual bilge pump to keep your wooden sieve from filling up and heading for the bottom.The other key feature that you notice is the stench. Your leaky boat has God-knows-what growing in the bilge... and there are no showers. No showers plus sweaty sailors lifting heavy canvas and pumping bilges for hours equals foul stench.  

 

On the plus side, the water was so bad that they felt compelled to mix it with rum. The down side was that when you drank too much rum, there was no aspirin to ease the terrible pounding in your skull. Last but not least, you awake in your damp moldy hammock in the middle of the night to do the necessary.   Haul yourself out of your sack and head to bow of the ship and settle into your place on a bench with a hole in it. There with your rear end hanging over the ocean, you do your business. What did they use as a substitute for the corn cobs? Who knows, maybe they just waited for the right wave. Ah well, you wanted to a simpler life in the "good old days".  

 

There is a reason they call it progress and you shouldn't fell too bad that a winch makes your life a little easier, that modern materials make the boat more seaworthy and comfortable and modern electronics help to keep us safer by telling us where we are, what the weather is going to do and allowing use to call for help should things go truly south.  

 

So come and join me at the lake, because one day, someone, somewhere is going to stumble on an old website from a place called LSA. They are going to look at the pictures and say "man that was time when sailors still knew how to have a great time; it must have been a great time to be around." They will be right; these are the "good old days."  

 

Sail Safe Amigos

Honez

Photo Captions  Needed

 

<> Another reason not to be a power boater.

 

<> Yes, "boating while stupid" should be illegal.

 

<> They will not be invited to the ET Challenge. 

 

<> A story for a whole other website. 

 

 <> Yes, I think I look good. 

 

 

 

 

 

Please share your caption for the photo to the right and we'll include them in next month's Docklines. 

  

Deadline is the 20th of this month.

 

 

 

Clinics and Events to meet New Friends
  

boats at dock BKB Review
Sat, Jun 6, 10am - 1pm     


If you've got questions about tacking, gybing, docking, operating the engine, setting a course, boat handling -- even knot tying -- this is your opportunity to spend time with an ASA certified instructor.  A person can only learn so much so fast.  This is a great morning to fill in the gaps and make for a more relaxed, more enjoyable sail.
 
Please call the dock for reservations
770-614-5724  Members Only  

 

 

Big Boat Clinic

Sat, June 20, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Instructor: Ed Caldwell

 

Captain Ed will conduct a thorough review of our latest addition to the fleet.  We'll review all hardware and gadgets from stem to stern.  We'll set sail and put the rail in the water (just add wind).  And we can't forget about improving our docking skills. 

 

If you're BBC-104 certified and wish to understand the detailed workings of the Catalina 36, then give us a call at the dock to reserve your spot.  770-614-5724

 

 

 

Spinnaker Clinic

Saturday, July 11, 2015 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Instructor: Kurt Heckert

   

Join us for a fun and interactive challenge of "flying the beast".  We'll introduce you to the slew of spin equipment on the dock with a follow up voyage of "riding of the beast"" on Big Creek.  Those with heart conditions or wussy issues need not apply.

Please call the dock to register.  770-614-5724      
 

 

 

 

heavy weather off Cape Horn Heavy Weather Clinic  

Sat, Jul 18  10am - 1pm  

 

Please join us for a fun and interesting "three hour cruise" that is designed to give you the tools to sail in big winds.  We'll cover reefing, sea anchors, surf conditions, etc.
 
For reservations please call the dock at 770-614-5724.       

 

 

 

 

ET Challenge logo ET Challenge
Sat, Jul 25, 10am-6pm      

 

More fun than you would expect on a sailboat with a bunch of friends.  Part scavanger hunt.  Part geo-caching. Part party. Part sailing.  It's the return of the Estrogen - Testosterone Challenge.  See who has the creativity and tenacity to win this year's challenge.

Come and join us (if you dare) for the revived and resuscitated, all day, all lake, summer regatta that pits the ladies against the gentlemen..... hence Estrogen vs Testosterone or The E. T. Challenge.

The statute of limitations for the last ET Challenge have expired.  Most of the participants from 2007 regatta have completed their probation.  And LSA Management can't seem to remember any "issues" that occurred.
 
Game On !   

 

Coastal Navigation Clinic 

Sat, Aug 01, 10am - 1:00pm

Instructor: Tom Samford

 

Anchoring Clinic

Sat, Aug 08, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Instructor: Lori Pilcher

  

Chartering Clinic 

Sat, Aug 15, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Instructor: Capt John Gilbert

 

Regatta Clinic & Warm-up Practice
Sat, Aug 29,
10:00am - 1:00pm Classroom

  1:30pm - 3:30pm On the water

Instructor: Valios Gonzalez & Hal Schlenger  



Become Bareboat Certified in Pensacola, Florida
Dolphin at bowBasic Coastal Cruising BCC-103  
Bareboat Certification BBC-104

  

OK, you have a choice when is comes to vacation planning.  You can make your reservations onboard the large people freighters (cruise ships) with a thousand of your best friends and see foreign ports of call from afar ..... or you can learn to skipper your own sailboat and see the true cruising life style up close and really personal.  Experience your vacation paradise at your pace.

 

Well, Lanier Sailing Academy's Pensacola Bay facility can make that dream a reality. You will spend 5 nights and 6 days on Splendid Adventure, our 393 Beneteau. The price for the class is $1,495, and that includes all of your breakfasts, lunches, and two dinners. The rest of the meals will be at different ports of call as we explore the beautiful Northwest Gulf Coast.

 

The itinerary includes navigating your way to pristine anchorages, a variety of marinas, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Gulf of Mexico. We'll dine on fabulous seafood at the many waterside restaurants this area is known for. We'll cover everything from docking and anchoring styles to sail trim & boat systems. You'll end your adventure feeling confident & ready to charter a boat of your own in paradise.

 

The dolphins, stars, and blue water are waiting to make that sailing dream come true!  

 

2015 CLASS SCHEDULE & PRICE LIST *

Trip 2

SOLD OUT

Sun. April 19 thru Fri. April 24

$1,495.00

Trip 3

SOLD OUT

Sun. May 3 thru Fri. May 8

$1,495.00

Trip 4 SOLD OUTSun. June 7 thru Fri. June 12 $1,495.00 
Trip 4.5 SOLD OUTSun. July 12 thru Fri. July 17 $1,495.00 
Trip 5 2 Bunks available Sun. Oct 11 thru Fri. Oct 16 $1,495.00 
Trip 6 3 Bunks available  
Sun. Nov  8  thru Fri. Nov 13 
$1,495.00 
Trip 7 4 Bunks available  Sun. Dec 6  thru Fri. Dec 11 $1,495.00 

 

* All live-aboard course rates are per person.   Transportation not included.

  

 

At anchor 

Typically our BCC-103 & BBC-104 courses in Pensacola sell out three months before sail date ...... don't delay ..... space is limited.

 

After completion of these courses you'll be able to sail/skipper our diesel/wheeled boats on Lake Lanier at no extra cost to our Passport Sailing Club members ..... and of course you'll be able to sail on vacation in the tropics with you as the skipper and your friends & family as crew

  

Call Cindy or Matt at (770) 945-8810 to learn more about your sailing dream in Pensacola, Florida and to reserve your space. 

Find a New Friend to Sail With the New Buddy Board

While sailing single handed presents its unique challenges and meditative state, sharing a sail with someone is much of fond memory.

 

Looking for someone to sail with --- or looking for new friends to sail with?  Looking for friends with sailing experience so that you don't have to do all of the thinking and sailing?  Looking for someone 103/104 certified, so they can take out the larger boats!  Or in true sailor fashion, looking to do less work while enjoying a nice sail?

 

The Passport Sailing Club has installed a bulletin board inside the Dock Office.  In the event you wish to find a sailing buddy, just fill out an index card and wait for the sailing invites to come your way. 
  
Please note on you card: availability, certification, email, phone, etc. 

This service is for Passport Sailing Club members only. 
Contact The Passport Sailing Club
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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