Pictures for Snowy Days, click pic to enlarge (click back to return to the dock)

Her Long Winter Nap

Hi guys, as you know, the boat is out of the water for the winter. She's in the heated storage building again and already we've begun chores to prepare her for next year's racing season. There is much to be done this year if we want to be competitive on the race course. Although the list seems endless, if we can find a way to get everybody together for work parties over the coming weeks and months, we won't be faced with the last minute rush come spring. I'd also like to say that I have set up this site as a clearing house of boat/race related info for the crew to communicate through. I will be posting threads dedicated to race schedules as that information becomes available. In order to be sure we have the coverage for upcoming regattas, I'd like some input from each of you as to what your realistic level of participation and dedication to next year's program will be. As you know, it's hard to be competitive when 3 people show up at the dock when it's raining and blowing 30 knots. On the other hand, those sunny summer days when it's 85 with 5 knots of air are difficult to be fast in with 12 people and 16 cases of beer. So. in short, I'd like to see if we as a crew can co-ordinate a little better than we have in the past. The big Regattas such as the Mackinaw Race and Harbor Springs are races that should be sailed with crew that know and feel comfortable with the boat. Aside from the competitive angle, safety is my biggest concern as is documented by what has happened to the J35 sailors in the story below. I'd also like to organize dedicated practice days this year so if everyone could give me suggestions as to what days or evenings would be best, let's try to get that dialogue started now. Also, as you know, this past summer we did not compete in any SBYRA events other tham the Tawas race. It is my opinion that if our class remains to be consisted of just us, Dolphin, and Iodine, there is no point to it. The SBYRA's refusal to address both the ratings disparity in our fleet under PHRF rules and the makeup of the fleet itself is an arguement that I've long ago grown tired of. If their attitude changes, and they should decide to address ratings issues and combine fleets to increase the level of competition, then my opinion will change. I'm afraid that unless and until there is a change in the leadership of the SBYRA, that will not happen, but we'll watch and see. We will of course be racing the BCYC wednesday evening series as it seems to be the only reasonably competitive game in town.

Even if the SBYRA were to get back on the path of listening to the member's concerns and rebuilding the fleets in the best interest of fair competion, that will not guarantee that we will magically win races. We need to have our heads in the game and sail as a team. For that we need people to show up. So please, let me know who wants to booze cruise and who wants to race. There's plenty of time for us to enjoy both, but we should make a concerted effort this year to seperate the two.

Also, should you have anyone who is interested in joining the program, now is the time to be thinking about that. I hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to sharing some Holiday cheer with each of you!!!!!!

Thanks,

Billy