Happy Holidays - 2011

I'd like to wish everyone a very happy holiday season. With the lakes frozen, sometimes its hard to remember the feel of a warm breeze on your cheek. So here is a short video to keep your sailing spirits up. See you all in the spring!

Jackdaw has been sold!

Jackdaw, a beautiful example of the Beneteau First 235 family, has been sold. This boat is one of the best known First 235s in the country. Up to date and full of well thought out modifications that have improved her sailing and livability. Take a look at the extensive list of modifications, and review the pictures and videos in detail. Details can be found by clicking HERE

Keeping an eye on swimmers

Maybe it's just me, but it seems there are a LOT more people free-swimming across the lakes. I'm sure it is people training for the triathlons, and I didn't give it much thought until last night, when we almost ran over one. We were reaching at about 5 knots, sitting on the low side to induce some heel when we quickly slipped by a swimmer. We didn't see him, and he didn't hear us. I don't know who was more surprised, but I DO know who was in more danger. There was over 20 boats on the lake last evening. Under these conditions, swimming in the open water is just dangerous.

I knew the MPRB was thinking about setting up open swim areas, but was pretty sure they had not done so. I called them, and they confirmed that open swimming was illegal, and pointed me to THIS page on their site. In addition, that told me I should call 911 to report swimmers. I'm not sure that I'll do that, but I would really hate to hit one, or even come close.

I don't know what the answer is. Try and look out, but with just a head above water, they are amazingly hard to see.

If you know someone that swims, let them know that:
1) Sailboats cannot see them
2) Often they will not hear us
3) We travel much faster then they can swim
4) If they must, morning is a MUCH better time to swim opposed to evening.

Anyone else have a near miss with a swimmer?

 

Where has the summer gone?

Wow, it's mid-August already. The blistering hot days are being replaced by cool mornings and the sun setting before 8PM. And I have not posted since launch day. Sorry about that, lots of stuff (sailing) going on, and my job has me on the road quite a bit. Still, it has been a great summer. I've got a bunch of topics I'm going to catch up on over the next week or so, so get ready.

Talking up Spinnakers.
To start up off, lets talk about spinnakers. When ever I mention to people that we fly one on Lake Harriet, I normally get the 'are you crazy' look. Well that's another topic but the real point is you can have lots of fun with spinnakers on small lakes if you plan ahead.

Use a snuffer. A snuffer (or sock) is key to use on small lakes. With it, you can get the sail up fast, and down faster. This is important because you only have a mile or so to work with, and if you take too long setting, it's time for it to come down right away. It's also much safer, as you can douse in a heartbeat, and then turn upwind. And away from the shore.

Think about an Asymmetric. An Asym is much more versatile on small lakes, and easier to fly. It also can sail to windward on light air days, and converts total no-sail days into fun sailing.

Sail reaches. Although the asym can go as deep as 150 degree AWA, you will run out of lake faster. Instead, bear up a bit and take the wind more on the beam. The boat will go faster, and you will get to cover more water. You will of course have to jibe, but that's all part of the fun!


Have crew on board. Figure at least three on board until you get the hang of it. Then you can try with two. Or solo if you are brave.

Think it through. There is lots going on, particularly in the setup. Make sure everyone understands how the sail is to be rigged. It saves on time. And water.

Have fun, be safe. The thing to remember about spinnakers is that they can overpower a boat, and that they MUST come down before you can turn to windward. If you think the conditions are too much, they probably are. Its kind of like reefing that way. Be prudent.

Time to Launch!

Although the MPRB will not mail out buoy stickers until next Monday, they have given permission to launch boats and attach them to your buoy, effective immediately. This means that you need to already know your buoy number. If you do not, you can call or email the Park Board office.

The buoys have been in for over a week (and some enterprising souls have already taken to the buoys), but the official launch was held up by some last minute buoy moving. And then a new system to mail the stickers was not ready. In order to get people on the water this weekend, the MPRB staff decided to allow the launch to start BEFORE the stickers arrive. A good deal.

The season begins!

Countdown to Launch!

The snow is gone, the ice is off the lakes, and launch is just weeks away!

Several readers have send me messages noting that I have not been posting as much this spring, and that I was not at the buoy drawing last week. They wanted to know if all was well. The truth is I've been busy with a new job. And now there are two Beneteau's to look after.

So what do we know? Some things:

1) The tender ferry service with run on the weekends by the MPRB. To start, it will alternate days between Harriet and Calhoun.  On Wednesday nights, the LCYC and the LHYC will offer the service. As you can tell, some of the details (like how to call for a pickup) are still being worked out. Stay tuned for details. Note - The LHYC is a great deal at $35/year for a social membership. See HERE for more details. 

2) The buoy-in date is planned to be in late April, all else being equal. The Park Boards wants to avoid the issues of last year after the buoys were in later in May after the water was open for over a month. Typically, the day you get your MPRB transom sticker in the mail is the day you are allowed to launch.

3) The alert system set up last year worked very well. Right now, the system has all of our OLD buoy numbers. Next week, I'll send out an update on how to get you new buoy number in the system.

4) On Harriet, the new Bread & Pickle has its menu set. I'll post on the menu, and how the new services will work. As of now, we know that both early AM coffee and a delivery service are planned.

5) The so-called 22 foot limit went completely away, and now it seems that the MPRB is willing to work with boats up to 30 feet long. The good news is that everyone that was on the lakes is OK for this year; as long as you can launch it, you can sail it!

Jackdaw is ready to rock, just needs some new bottom paint to be 100% ready. Hope all your spring projects are winding down, and you boat is ready to set sail. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone on the lake.

Fair Winds to all in 2011!

ccb

One month to the buoy drawing, Spring MUST be coming!

Greetings Twin Cities sailors! Only one month to go until the buoy drawing. Although the winter seems to be hanging on longer than any self-respecting sailor would like, it warms my heart to remember that winter length rarely effects the on-water date. If you remember last year, the lake was ready on April 1st, but the buoys still went in the last week of the month. So, early spring does not mean sailing sooner. Anyway, some quick thoughts:

Its a good time to go start spring boat projects. In particular, I'd go have a look at your sails. If they need attention from a sail maker, get that done now. Most will have plenty of time this month, but I can assure you that in April they will be crazy busy.

It seems that the a fore mentioned 22 foot limit on boats is now being described as a recommended maximum length.  That's good advice in general, but I know there are several 22+ owners that are breathing a little sigh of relief. Myself included.

If you are waiting to make your buoy payment to the day before the drawing, it's a good plan but make SURE you get your payment in. I know of several long-time buoy holders that were shut-out of the drawing last year because they waited until the drawing to pay. With the buoys likely to sell out again, its important to get your payment in on time to hold your place.

See everyone at the drawing!

Crow's Nest Yachts Open House This Weekend

It is still way cold, but February means spring is on its way. It also means its time for Crow's Nest Yachts annual open house. Hours are from 10:30AM to 4:00PM Saturday and Sunday (12th and 13th). Even if you are not in the market for a new boat, it is good for the soul to just walk around on boats. And because CYN has several Beneteaus and Hunters in their heated indoor showroom, you do not have to get cold doing it. CNY is at the corner of 94 and 694/494 in Oakdale. Their website has more detail information. Coffee and doughnuts too. See you there!

CNY web page

2011 Registration Begins, with Big Rule Changes!

Its February, and we all know what that means! Winter is more than 1/2 over, and even more importantly, Minneapolis Lakes Buoy Registration has begun. The program is very similar to past years in regard to how buoys are assigned (see HERE for details), but there are some very notable changes.Here we go, from small to big:


1) There is a new electronic registration system. 
You have to enroll to use it. It is all rather easy, and the one change that came out of that is you can now wait to midnight of the day of the drawing to complete your registration. The old deadline was several days before.


2) Price increase and taxi service
The buoy rates have gone up this year by $50. Part of this increase will go to pay for better tender maintenance program, and the big news is a water TAXI service from the docks to Harriet and Calhoun boats during peak hours. Details and hours of operation are being worked out, but the plan is to use a small launch with a powerful electric motor to ferry sailors to and from their boats. Regular tenders will be available at all times, like before, under the key system. This seems to be a great idea, and I hope it works out.

3) BOAT LENGTH LIMIT

EDIT: As of March 1st, The MPRB has now changed the web site language to call the 22 foot limit a RECOMMENDATION. All of the reasons for boat length limits are still true, but it remains (as before) a personal preference.

As you can see on the new registration form, the MPRB is enforcing a length limit on boats this year. The 22 foot length was chosen to protect boats, buoys and people from harm. According to the MPRB, this rule has been in place for some time but not enforced. Part of the problem with enforcement has always been that it is hard to know exactly how to measure a sailboat, and depending on your boat, differing measurement methods can create a foot swing in reported length.

According to the MPRB, the issue is not just with length, but also size, windage, and displacement. Length is just easier to measure for compliance. In general, when boats get too big for the Minneapolis lakes, you have the following issues:

1) Inability to maneuver with an electric motor

2) Damage to buoy anchors due to weight and size

3) Limited ability to turn and maneuver in the buoy field

4) Danger during launching due to size and draft.
5) Boat damage due to potential overlap on swing.


What do you do if your boat is longer? You have two options. One is to enter the length into the form, and see if the Park Board contacts you regarding your boat length. If you have a lightweight Whatsit 22.2, I'm guessing you are going to be OK. The second option is to contact Annie Olsen at the MPRB, you can email her HERE

End of the 2010 Sailing Season

Well folks, the extra week was glorious, but last Monday wrapped up the sailing season. We were very lucky with the added time, the final weekend was great, as was Monday for a final sail and a pull off late in the afternoon. When Jackdaw came off at 5PM, there were 4 other boats being pulled at the same time, each trying to use up all the available time on the water.

It was a great year. I don't know how many times we got out, but the knot logs shows that we put over 500 miles on the Jackdaw this year. That's a lot of tacking about! It is also great to see such a perfect mix of boats on the lakes. The larger cruisers, mixed in with the Vic18s, the day sailers, and the scows.

This year was also the first year ever where ALL the buoys on all three lake sold out. That might be the new reality going forward. Make sure to pre-register before the drawing next year to keep your priority. There will be an email from this site to remind you of when you need to do this.

Speaking of this site, I'll be doing regular updates to keep all of us in the sailing mood. By next spring, I'll have figured out a way to allow you to change your buoy (and perhaps lake) to reflect your new location without having to re-register.

The alert system worked out VERY well. We had over 10 boats reported in different levels of distress, and all were attended to ASAP. Also, there were several lost and found items that found their way back home.

In a week or so I'm planning on doing a full year retrospective in pictures. If you have a shot that you would like to be included, sent it to me at the email address shown in the left bar.

That's all for now. Keep you eyes open for the off-season posts, and see everybody in the spring. Fair winds!

Clay