Notice!! {{{ During Winter Months The Water May be Turned Off Due to Possibility of Freezing Pipes CHECK TO SEE IF WATER IS ON BEFORE USING TOILETS (BY TURNING ON LAVATORY FAUCET)}}} TO TURN THE WATER ON Take the [T-Handle->http://OSYC.net/photos/Water/photo001.htm]tool hanging on the back of the storage room door and proceed to the [water meter->http://OSYC.net/photos/Water/photo002.htm] which is located next to the chain link fence near the street, about half way between the gate and the lift. Place the end of the tool over the valve which is on the street side of the meter and turn counter clockwise. OK to leave the water on until you leave at the end of the day. [Photos->http://OSYC.net/photos/Water/]

Its time to start thinking about the Pensacola BEER Cruise in June. Click on the link for more information. [BEER 2007 Web Site->http://bellsouthpwp2.net/b/s/bs_allen/index.htm] Send an email to [Ben Allen->mailto:bs_allen@bellsouth.net] if you want to be on the skippers list. Include the following information: Skipper, Vessel, Boat Type, State of Residence Some will arrive earlier than the official start and stay later. I hear that Bob Horan who is retiring soon will be down there for three weeks. Maybe he will let some of us join him. I would like to comple a list of OSYC members who might be planning to go. Send me an [email->mailto:jimmy.harrell@riverside.net], including your cell phone number, and I will compile an OSYC skippers list. Cell phones will be useful in keeping intouch during the curise as well as on the road. Never can tell when someone might need some assistance.

The forecast was for 80 degrees, partly cloudy and decent wind. A regular fairy tale for sailing in November, as we suited up in shorts and tee shirts and headed out to finish off the OSYC racing year. We choose the standard distance course – from the club around Hauck’s Reef and return. Sailing were Jay Harrell, David Huggins and Doug MacMillan on Jay’s Viper, Bill Shaw and Carl Saylor on Bill’s Viper, Jimmy Harrell and Calvin Smith on Jay’s Beneteau, and John and Sherry Davis on their O’Day. It looked like a normal day until we got past Erin Point. The wind was NW giving us a close reach up the lake with an occasional tack away from the shore. But I was busy getting the feel of my new boat and didn’t notice the big veer left in the wind direction. We were having a blast eeking out every bit of pointing and boat speed from each gust and lull, until I started looking for the island that marks the reef. It should be right there, yes? NO! We had sailed up the wrong creek. After sheepishly turning back downwind, we eventually caught Calvin and Jimmy – “Where ya’ll been?”. Grumble. We passed them before the turn at the reef, but not by much. Bill and his Viper were far ahead with the spinnaker up. But I had already been tricked by the wind once – we stuck with the jib and were rewarded. In the meantime we also watched what happens to a Viper when a spinnaker broach takes the mast horizontal. To wit: nothing, it just comes back up. And that’s with the heavy aluminum mast. (Note to Justin, the keel is heavy enough already.) Granted Bill and Carl were just out playing, but we still managed to beat them back to the finish line, then turned and did a bit of a joy ride to practice out spinnaker work. We obviously need more. Here’s the kicker: this year, the record run on Hauck’s Reef has been 1:41 for keel boat and 1:35 for a Thistle. We finished in 1:23, even with a detour and no spinnaker, and didn’t break a sweat. I’m wondering what we can do with a good wind. Bill finished a short time after us, and Jimmy some time later (I forgot to record the times.) John and Sherry suffered from a distinct lack of wind and got in somewhat later. Sunday dawned cool and howling for our final “fun race” of the season. Unfortunately, the howling died down to meerly “good breeze” by the time hit the water. Jay and Paul Bolinger took out the Viper, and Jimmy and Anastasia Bolinger and Bryan Jackson took out the Beneteau for a few cruiser quest points. Paul and I worked out a few more of the bugs with the spinnaker drop and I’m starting to have some hope for the one line retrieval system. It’s still harder than using a turtle, but it’s improving every day. And that’s all folks. The club goes dormant for the holidays, but we are already thinking about the ‘Frostbite’ series in January.

{{{Minutes of the Oconee Sailing and Yacht Club Fall Membership Meeting}}} {{{November 11, 2006}}} {{Call to Order}} The meeting was called to order by Commodore Bill Shaw at 7:30pm in the OSYC Clubhouse. Jay Harrell was present as Secretary. {{Role call and establishment of a quorum}} A count of voting member/families present was done by a standing count-off and collection of proxies. The following 6 proxies were submitted: – 1. Ronnie Hartley to Al Hauck – 2. Roger Hartley to Al Hauck – 3. Tommy Barker to Jimmy Harrell – 4. David Huggins to Jay Harrell – 5. Jack Mahaney to Jay Harrell – 6. Shawn Bresnehan to Jay Harrell The following 32 voting member/families were represented and voting in person: – 1. Abrams, Warren & Linda – 2. Ballard, Charles & Regina – 3. Ballard, Richard & Cynthia – 4. Bollinger, Paul & Anastasia – 5. Bragg, Mike – 6. Brown, Ken & Michelle – 7. Corbin, Miriam – 8. Davis, John & Sherry – 9. Duncan, Dave & Mary – 10. Ekstrom, Pete & Joan – 11. Enchelmayer, Carl & Susan – 12. Griffin, Ken & Jennifer – 13. Harrell, Jay & Sally – 14. Harrell, Jimmy & Charlotte – 15. Hauck, Al & Ginny – 16. Hinson, Tom & Mary Helen – 17. Horan, Bob & Jean – 18. Hunter, Bill & Fran – 19. Jackson, Bryan & Marie – 20. MacMillan, Doug & Debby – 21. MacMillan Jr., Doug & Nikki – 22. Morrow, Jeff & Linda – 23. Mueller, Dick & Arlene – 24. Phillips, Greg & Charlotte – 25. Saylor, Carl – 26. Schnider, David – 27. Shaw, Bill & Kay – 28. Shaw, Roger & Candi – 29. Smith, Calvin & Grayson – 30. Wisdom, Mike – 31. Young, Ronnie & Sandy – 32. Thorpe, George Finding 38 members present in person or by proxy, the chair ruled that a quorum was present. There were no objections. {{Approval of the minute}}s The minutes of the Spring Meeting were read by Secretary Jay Harrell. No corrections were noted. The minutes were approved as read by voice vote. {{ Committee Reports}} The following Committee Reports were given: – 1. Membership Report by Secretary Jay Harrell: the club stands at 74 paying members. – 2. Financial Report by Treasurer Jay Harrell: attached statements were distributed and discussed. – 3. Docks and Grounds Report by Jimmy Harrell. – 4. Membership Committee Report by Dick Mueller. Attached. Committee members at this time are: Dick Mueller, Past Commodore; Jimmy Harrell, Vice Commodore; Howard Gregory, Trustee; Ronnie Young, at large; Pete Ekstrom, at large. – 5. Racing Report by Doug MacMillan Jr. “Racer of the Year” award was presented to Ken and Jennifer Griffin. – 6. Cruising Report by Jimmy Harrell. “Cruiser of the Year” award was presented to Greg and Charlotte Phillips. – 7. “Member of the Year” award was presented to Dick and Arlene Mueller by Commodore Bill Shaw. {{Nomination of Officers}} Al Hauck presented the report of the Nominating Committee. The Committee nominated the current slate of officers and board members for re-election, unchanged, as follows: – * Bill Shaw for Commodore – * Jimmy Harrell for Vice-Commodore – * Jay Harrell for Secretary/Treasurer – * Al Hauck, Ronnie Hartley, Bob Horan, and Howard Gregory for Trustees John Davis made the following nominations from the floor, which were seconded: – * Ronnie Young to replace Ronnie Hartley – * Greg Phillips to replace Al Hauck – * Ken Griffin to replace Howard Gregory Hearing no further nominations, the Commodore closed the nominations. {{Election of Officers}} Ballots were counted and distributed. Additional ballots were given to proxy holders. Ballots were marked, collected and presented to the Secretary. The Secretary requested Paul Bollinger to help with counting ballots. The final tally is as follows: – * 38 total votes cast – * 38 votes for Bill Shaw – * 38 votes for Jimmy Harrell – * 38 votes for Jay Harrell – * 38 votes for Bob Horan – * 18 votes for Howard Gregory vs. 20 votes for Ken Griffin – * 17 votes for Ronnie Hartley vs. 21 votes for Ronnie Young – * 16 votes for Al Hauck vs. 22 votes for Greg Phillips The winning candidates were: – Bill Shaw for Commodore – Jimmy Harrell for Vice Commodore – Jay Harrell for Secretary – Bob Horan, Ken Griffin, Ronnie Young, and Greg Phillips as Trustees. The winning candidates were asked if they were willing to serve. Ken Griffin declined to serve. Hearing no objections, Howard Gregory was elected. New board is as follows: – Bill Shaw, Commodore – Jimmy Harrell, Vice-Commodore – Jay Harrell, Secretary/Treasurer – Dick Mueller, Past-Commodore – Bob Horan, Greg Phillips, Ronnie Young, and Howard Gregory, Trustees {{New Business}} Calvin Smith moved as follows (copy of his hand-out is attached): “{Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees examine Article IV Section 2 of the Constitution and Section IV of the Bylaws and present to the Spring Meeting 2007 amendments to said sections of the Constitution and Bylaws that will amend the present wording in such a way that the membership process be changed to establish: 1. A Probationary period for new members. 2. An affirmative vote by the membership for the final acceptance of new members. 3. Substantial removal of the black ball provision now present in said articles}.” The motion was seconded, and debated. Doug MacMillan moved to amend as follows (copy submitted to secretary is attached): {Strike all text after Spring Meeting 2007 and replace with the following: “a report regarding whether or not the club’s membership process needs to be amended along with any subsequent amendments}”. The motion to amend was seconded and debated. Mr. MacMillan’s amendment was adopted by a voice vote. Mr. Smith’s motion, as amended was re-read as follows: “{Be it resolved that the Board of Trustees examine Article IV Section 2 of the Constitution and Section IV of the Bylaws and present to the Spring Meeting 2007 a report regarding whether or not the club’s membership process needs to be amended along with any subsequent amendments.}” Mr. Smith motion, as amended, was voted by a show of hands. 20 people voted “Yes”. Finding 20 votes to exceed half of the 38 votes present, the motion was adopted. {{Adjournment}} Commodore called for any other New Business, finding none the meeting was adjourned.

It came as no surprise to anyone to discover that OSYC has more than one sailor who likes to go {really} fast. So when Bill showed up with his cool new Viper, I just had to give it a try. The results: easy, fast, fun. Then he tells me there’s one for sale in Savannah, and the kids really wanted to take a trip to Tybee, and I happen to like fast boats… So suddenly, OSYC is home to the fastest growing one-design fleet of Vipers in the southeast, reaching a 100% growth rate in just a few weeks, and adding an entire new class of boats to the OSYC results pages. I got my very used “new-to-me” boat set up just in time for the club Halloween Regatta. Which would have been great except for the wind howling down the lake blowing the tops off the whitecaps – I was hoping for something a little less for the maiden run. So we raced the Beneteau on a simple out-and-back course (which Ken won once again) and had fun as usual. Back at the dock, I just couldn’t take it any longer, the wind appeared to have dropped a bit and I had two crew ready for a spin. So we backed her down the ramp, struggled with a misaligned keel bolt and finally headed out. The whitecaps came back pretty quickly, but it turns out the Viper loved it – and so did the crew. The spinnaker ride was truly outstanding, despite the lack of a GPS to record our speed. (The spinnaker retrieval took us about forever and I was wondering how we were going to avoid the dam and still sail downwind.) Yep, she’s solid and fully broken in now – when the wind blows, the Viper is going sailing! And one day, when we stop dropping the spinnakers in the water, we might even win some Portsmouth races despite our 70.4 DPN! In the meantime, we’ll just have to make do with line honors and match racing with Bill So don’t forget, these boats are more fun sailed with three crew so come join the fun. And if the bug bites, we can introduce you to Justin Scott who can help you find your very own Viper.

2006 Annual Halloween open Regatta October 28 and 29Sailboat Races Saturday Dinner Costume Party and Contest Raffle to Raise Money for Storage Shed – – – – – – – – [CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS->http://osyc.net/news/2006_Halloween_Regatta.htm]

I found Ronnie Young working on the A Dock when I arrived at OSYC Thursday evening, then unpacked, worked on the interior of “Barco Viejo” till about 10:30 and slept aboard on Thursday night, hoping I could get an early start on Friday morning. The forecast was plenty of wind for Friday and Saturday. Getting an early start on Friday did not work because it was cold in the cabin and under the covers was warm. I sailed out about 0930 heading to the power lines up Island Creek. It was 8-10Kts wind and by 11:15 I was back at OSYC, It was off to Reedy Creek with the GPS turned on so I could find the turnaround mark. No problems finding it and then back to OSYC. It was time to get serious because it was the afternoon already and I wanted to get in a long distance run yet. I sailed up toward Crooked Creek, heaving too for lunch, then later while passing Goat Island, finding water on the floor of the boat. I bailed about 3 Gal of water out of the bilge, looked for the source of the leak but was unsuccessful and sailed on. Arriving at Crooked Creek, I found another couple of gallons in the bilge and looked again for the source of the water. It turned out to be the above the waterline thru-hull for the sink drain. As long as I was not heeled over on a port tack, I was ok. It had a plug in it when I looked at hose coming off the thur-hull at the boat’s initial launching and I did not worry about but looking at the plug remnants I found the plug was actually a dirt-dobber nest. Sailing back to OSYC was done on a starboard or almost straight up. I arrived OSYC at 5:15PM finding Ronnie Young again working on the A Dock. I looked for stick I could whittle for a plug, dug out my Marine Sealant and after shaping the plug, I pounded it in to the drain hose covered with sealant. It is in for good. I will put a hose clamp on it next time I get back to the boat. Saturday morning arrived with little wind. I sailed again to Island Creek power lines but this time I took me 3.5 hours. After arriving back at OSYC, headed up the lake followed by the racers who were going to sail to Hauck’s Reef and back. I had a 10 minute head start, sailing with a 150% jib and a full main. The wind was blowing like stink now and by the time I passed Airport Island. I pulled into a small cove, pulled down the 150% and put up a very old 110% jib. I had sailed with it the day before in pretty strong winds and had forgotten the hanks were just laced on with some cotton string and that I only wanted to try it out to see if I liked it. I liked it and put it up. The fleet was starting to catch up but with the shorter 110, I started to pull away again. I was nearing Hauck’s Reef, when, the cotton string lacing on the jib hanks started popping. Like a zipper, I pretty soon had only one jib hank still hanging on and I was headed for some quiet water to pull this jib down and to put up my 100% working jib. The interior of my boat was filling up with unfolded jibs. With the 100 jib up I came out with the race leaders having caught up with me. I sailed upwind again past Hauck’s Reef and then around the corner and up the river stopping to heave too for some late lunch and then sailing all the way to Oconee Springs Park, arriving at the park at 5:10. Turning around, I expected to have a head wind and I did. It was slow going and I arrived at the Crooked Creek Marina about sundown and of course that was the time for the wind to fade to a whisper too. I grabbed a flash light and a quick supper and continued on, hoping to make Goat Island before the wind died completely. I started to pass Goat Island about 9PM when I remembered I had a big nylon drifter aboard from “Linda Jean”. I put it up and with it filled, I pressed on. The wind picked up a little as I passed Sinclair Marina, and I was on a beam reach most of the rest of the way to OSYC. I arrived at OSYC at 11:55PM, and tried to make my old 6Hp Johnson run quiet so I would not wake Howard when I motored into the slip. I had sailed straight for almost 15 hours. The next morning I was up early to try to get in another full day of sailing. Howard was surprised to see me when he got up in the morning. He did not hear me come in. Leaving the dock by 0900, I headed again up Island Creek. This time the wind was not strong and it took more than 4 hours to make the trip up and back. Arriving back at OSYC I decided to call it a day and pack up. > > > > > > Scores 15 Oct 06 for Bob Horan > > > > 12 Oct Slept on board at dock 5 > > > > 13 Oct Island Creek Power Lines 80 > > Put boat in irons for 30Sec 10 > > Reedy Creek marker 40 > > Heave Too 20 > > Crooked Creek Marina 100 > > Cushion Overboard 15 > > > > 14 Oct Island Creek Power Lines 80 > > Heave Too 20 > > Oconee Springs Park 250 > > > > 15 Oct Island Creek Power Lines 80 > >

On Saturday October 7, Charlotte and I rounded the buoy at the club at 5:10 PM. We got off to a late start as we attended a wedding in Macon. We had a great sail to the power lines on the Oconee River without tacking the first time. At about 6:30 while Charlotte was sailing towards Goat Island, I cooked supper. We had “Cheese Burgers in Paradise” but unlike Jimmy Buffet we had hot chocolate to go with our burgers. The cook did an outstanding job. We made it to Goat Island at 7:30 and called Jack Sterrett as we sailed passed his house. He flashed his porch lights as we sailed by. We sailed on passed Crooked Creek Marina with the full moon, listening to the Georgia game and drinking hot chocolate. Life was good, at least until the second half. We sailed to the place we anchored for the night, about halfway between Crooked Creek and Oconee Springs. We dropped the anchor at 11:15 and were in bed by 11:30. We slept in, at least by my standards to 8:30. We ate breakfast and we were under way by 9. The wind was on our nose and would remain that way until we reached our destination. Once we passed Oconee Springs the water becomes very shallow and the channel is hard to sail without getting into shallow water. We managed to hit bottom two times on the way up. On the second time we raised the keel all the way up and left it that way until we passed Oconee Springs on our return trip. We made more tacks than I care to mention, but we made it to within site of the Highway 16 bridge and turned around to head home. Just before we got to Oconee Springs while sailing in the middle of the channel with the keel up, we hit something hard, I am not sure if it was log submerge or an old tree stump.We are seeing all these bass boats flying up and down the channel and wonder how they do it without hitting something. We sailed wing on wing most of the way back to the power lines on the Oconee River. Just before we got to Crooked Creek we ran up on Jack Sterrett sailing and we sailed back to Goat Island together. We made it back to the club at about 5 PM. It was a great 24 hours, sailed the whole way and never needed the motor…….Life is Good. > Points: Sailed to from the club to within site of Highway 16 bridge 400 Put the boat in Irons 10/7 and recover 10 Put the boat in Irons 10/8 and recover 10 Spend the night on boat at anchor 20 Under sail without motor we anchored and left the same way 25 Total Points 465

{{A short story about the 22-24 Sep 06 weekend.}} SW Wind blowing sometimes 2-4 and sometimes 8-12 and I have a 150 Jib up. The first challenge I encountered was trying to find the Treasure Cache on Airport Island. After anchoring the boat, I tried to carry everything I would need. I started walking in from the beach I thought was closest. It was close but about the time I got close to the cache, my GPS signaled “Low Battery” and shutdown. Back to the boat for batteries. OK I get close again but could not find it. I think maybe my GPS is off. I spread out leaving my carry back marking the spot. I walk around maybe 200 ft. circle. The only thing I find is a snake about 7ft away looking at me. Carefully looking further, No cache. I go back to my bag and verify the correct GPS settings. It should be right where I am standing. Time to look harder. Found it. Back to the boat, to finish my around the island sail. Second Challenge, Sailing to Goat Island. Great downwind run after rounding point by Sinclair Marine. Thought I would drop the 150 and put up the 100. Took forever to get the sail changed with boat always wanting to sail to shore. I started looking for Bulldog and the Shark shower on the way back. I was in a few windless coves before I figured out that I would not find the Bulldog but I was determined to find the Shark Shower. Finely at 16:30 I found the shower and turned up wind again to sail back to OSYC. That shower is not easy to find. Third Challenge, Getting back to OSYC after seeing the Shark Shower. Wind really got light for last mile and then it was light as I rounded the mark to find a good anchor spot. Finely by 8PM I arrived at a cove opposite Airport Island to anchor. Forth Challenge, Sailed to Hauck;s Reef and back trying to make good time to be a Sinclair Challenge. Rail in the water sometimes, but other times sails slack with no wind. Fifth Challenge, Final destination was to be Around Airport Is. I decided to sail from OSYC up through the narrow channel then around the island so I could come around the NE side ( Not much wind on this side) to anchor, go ashore and have lunch. I had to pinch though the narrow channel with a head wind and my 150 sail still up. It was very close and with board most of the way up just in case I got in thin water, I squeaked thru. Won’t try that again. Great weekend to sail on Lake Sinclair.