We continue to welcome new members to our ECSC family. Matt and Carly Traub (former members and legacies on both sides of the family) are now living in Indy and sailing a J 24. Tony and Lori Portell of Indianapolis sailing a Catalina 25. Christian and Tony Sultzer of Pendleton sailing a Sirius 21’ (Footloose).
There is a New member orientation session scheduled for Sunday May 21st 1:00 pm in the upper shelter house. This is open to all new members and anyone else interested in learning more about the club. Encourage any possible prospective members to attend.
Annual dues and slip fees should all have been postmarked by 2/28/17. As of the evening of 2/28/17, I have deposited 190 checks. So still about 60 outstanding. Hope those are all in the mail with a post mark of 2/28 or earlier.
[one_second]With spring just around the corner, activity is starting to pick-up in Safety & Education. We’ve gotten a few emails asking about lessons for inexperienced sailors looking to get into sailing. Yes the club does offer lessons on Saturday mornings during the sailing season. Lessons will be in the club’s small single handed boats (Lasers). This gives the student the best overall experience and time with all of the controls of a sail boat. The lessons are taught by one of our US Sailing certified instructors. When the lessons start up in the spring I will update you here as far as contact information, etc. to make arrangements to attend.[/one_second][one_second]
Learning to rig one of the club’s FJs
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Laser Sailing at Sail camp 2016[/one_second][one_second]
The Junior sailing camp is also starting to fill up. It is only March and we are already over half full for both weeks of the camp. If you are considering sending a young one to camp, I’d suggest that you get your registration in soon before all of the available spots fill-up. Ages are 8-18, see the website for more information. This year we have added the ability to register on-line. This should make things more convenient. It appears to be working smoothly, as most registrations have come in via the web. You can find the registration information and links here. If you prefer to mail your registration in, the form is available to download at the bottom of that same page.
Make sure you click on the header at the top of this article to go to my full article so you can see some pictures of last year’s camp. Parents and campers alike tell us what a great time they have and can’t wait to come back for the next year!
We have just completed our end of the year inventory. Ship’s Store is brimming with goods from sweat shirts to hats to trailer hitch covers to t-shirts. Please look through the catalog on Ship’s Store link on the ECSC webpage, find the ECSC item of your dreams and make a purchase. Remember every dollar that you spend on these goods goes to benefit the club. So you get to look good while doing good.
I have had many requests to add a “for sale” section to our web site. I am currently working on this. This section will be for members (active or inactive) to advertise boats, boat parts, and boat services for sale or wanted. I consider this to be a useful service to our members. I will include rules for for use on this page. I expect it will be for private party (club members) sellers only. Also, postings will be free for members and will be posted for a two month period. If your item does not sell it will automatically be removed. You can always request it to be re-posted if the item is still available.
As a resource for our club members, I be adding a page to list local individuals and companies that do sailboat or engine work. Since “Sailboats” closed it’s doors last year many people have been asking who else in town does boatwork or engine work. I am including several contacts below and will be working to assemble a more complete list on the website in the future. If any businesses or individuals would like to be included please email me at http://publicity@ecsail.org and I will add you to this list.
Clearwater Marine Services – Greg Branham, owner – 317-440-3762 – Fiberglass, gelcoat, outboard motor repairs and electronic installations.
Borkowski Boatworks – Cameron Borkowski, Owner – borkowskiboatworks@gmail.com – Fiberglass, paint, gelcoat, engine, electrical, commissioning, and commissioning work
APS – Annapolis Performance Sailing – http://www.apsltd.com – not local, but a good internet provider of sailing parts and gear –
Line Honors – yacht racing outfitters – http://www.linehonors.com – not local – but a good internet provider of sailing gear
Jerry Cooper – (recommended by Bob Hockok) works on outboards lives near ECSC – (317) 373-0968
A few reminders from our committee heads, Visit the Racing Page and sign up for Race committee duty. Come to the Race Meetings, they have been very informative. Email Kenny and volunteer for our many work projects and work parties planned for 2017. Contact our Social Chair and take on chairing a social event. Check out this months Social article on specific needs for Social hosts. All of these activities are not only fun, but you earn valuable work credits to apply to next years dues.
Just when thoughts of sailing entered our minds, January turned cold again. However sailing season is only two and a half months away. Board members and Committees are busy making plans for an exciting 2017 season. Sailing related opportunities are ever increasing as the time draws near. We encourage all members to submit their membership renewals and enjoy the many advantages of being a part of our sailing community.
I stopped by the Club on Wednesday before the first race seminar. The boats all looked secure as they quietly waited to get back into the water. It was nice to see a bald eagle fly overhead. The eagle seemed to be watching over our gear and making sure all will be ready for spring.
I also attended the race rules and tactics seminar held at ISC last month. The wind was up and halyards were making their music. They slapped against masts anxious to hoist sails once again. It was good to see so many ECSC sailors enhancing their knowledge on all things racing and getting ready to go sailing once again. We’ll be on the water sooner than you think.
Our 2017 sailing season is just a few months away! As you know we have several social events that are pre-set for each sailing season. These events could not happen without our trusted volunteers leading the charge by hosting them. Work Credits are provided to volunteers that spend their time to make our club more enjoyable. Below you will see a list of the already scheduled events and the openings I have for recruitment opportunities. You will have my full support!
We have a few big jobs ahead of us this Spring and hopefully they can get started at the club opening work-party. Below are three of the majors projects ahead of us.
Re-decking of L dock (which is the 5′ wide section leading to D dock).
Expansion of the trailer parking at the top of the hill to the West and South.
A Grounds Committee project concerning dead Ash tree removal.
Any and all help with these projects will be greatly appreciated and make the club more user friendly.
Anyone with an unmarked dinghy or kayak at the club must remember to put current stickers on your boat. As I mentioned in last months article those unidentifiable boats will be going away this Spring.
Don’t forget, during Winter you need to come out to the club on a regular basis to check on your boat. Many tarps get filled with snow/water or get blown off entirely. It is up to you to protect your property.
One last thing, when coming out to the club in the Winter I would suggest locking the gate back up as you enter. This will keep unwanted guests from entering the club and shorten your time checking on your boat. Always lock the gate when leaving.
