Melges 17 - Affordable for Those Looking to Get More Involved Any Member Who Would Like More Infor- Inshore Fun in Our Various Sailing Programs in 2017, Mation

January - February 2017 www.mbyc.com

Winter Fun

MACATAWA BAY YACHT CLUB • 2157 SOUTH SHORE DRIVE • MACATAWA, MI 49434 • 616-335-5815

Flag Report

Lisa Ruoff Tom Sligh Rod Schmidt Commodore Vice Commodore Rear Commodore Happy New Year! The Holiday Party and New Year’s Eve ed the Club could not support an infinite number of racing Party are now memories. Thank you for attending them and fleets. A large portion of this issue is geared toward our newly sharing in the celebration. The amazing Social Committee approved racing fleets. These are not necessarily new fleets, deserves kudos for the fabulous décor indoors and out. but they have been recognized as supportable with the volunteer resources at our disposal. If you’ve had questions about The next time you come to the Club you may notice some racing, your questions may be answered in these articles from much-needed repairs for which Julie had budgeted. Jack each fleet. If not, you will find contact information for each Walker will report more information on that in a future Wind fleet. Scoop issue. One advantage of the Club being closed during January, February and half of March is that our hardwork- Finally, thank you to the more than 300 of you who respond- ing staff gets a bit of a break and some of the deep cleaning ed to the Member Survey. That data will be analyzed and will and maintenance can be tackled. When the Club opens in help the Board make your Club experience the best it can mid-March not only will everything be sparkling clean, we be. However, the communication shouldn’t stop there. You’ll will also have a new Chef…Shawn Zoldowski. He is moving find contact information for each of the Committee Chairs at up from Sous Chef and Frank Miller will be staying on for the end of their articles. If you have suggestions or concerns, morning prep work. you can contact any Committee Chairperson or Flag Officer by emailing them at: [email protected]. Competitive Sail Racing at MBYC is organized and run by Lisa, Tom, Rod volunteers. With that in mind the Sailing Committee decid-

Macatawa Bay Junior Association Hires New Sailing Director The Macatawa Bay Junior Association, ing team and several Minneapolis high board to continue to grow our commu- our community sailing school, is pleased school sailing teams. nity sailing program” said Roger Gam- to introduce Nick Hovland as their sail- ache from the MBJA board of direc- ing director. Nick will be tors. starting on Nick comes to the MBJA with a degree Monday Jan- The MBJA is a 501(c)(3) sailing school in commercial recreation from the Uni- uary 9th and founded in 1983. Classes take place at versity of Minnesota. Nick has been will be focused the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club and are the waterfront director and head sailing on organiz- open to the public. We provide sailing coach for the White Bear Lake Sailing ing the 2017 opportunities for children ages 6-18 as School from 2010- 2016. During those MBJA high well as adult sailing classes in the eve- years Nick developed a nationally recog- school, college nings. For more information and reg- nized community sailing program. Pre- and summer programs. istration info, please go to www.mbja. viously, Nick served as the head coach “We are excited to have someone with org. of the University of Minnesota sail- Nick’s experience and energy coming on Macatawa Bay Manager’s Report This time of year seems to be a time of to cover up daily wear and tear as well as reflection for many and it is definitely a deep cleaning. The tables and chairs will time for us here at MBYC to reflect on the be turned and tightened. past year … what went well? What can • Dock maintenance: Our dock master Y a c h t C l u b we improve on? We will spend a lot of Joe Gorris will be replacing many of the MBYC Flag Officers time on these questions during the next boards on the docks that have begun to Commodore Lisa Ruoff few months weather. Vice Commodore Tom Sligh while the club • Event planning: A lot of event plan- Rear Commodore Rod Schmidt Board of Directors is closed. ning happens during the off months for Immediate Past Commodore next year’s events. Dick Becker A lot of people • 2017 Updates to the website are Treasurer Lou Moran ask me what made. Secretary Bill Pringle Director Pat Walker we do during • Committee meetings occur to plan Director Michael Norris the off months for 2017 schedules and create the best Director Phil Wisniewski here at the MBYC yet! Director Susan Wolfe club: • Staff recruiting also takes place during Director Grant Cheney • We begin with billing for next year, these off months as we work to see who Director Claudia Scharlow Director Jack Walker closing out 2016 and bringing new files is coming back and then get new staff Judge Advocate Bob DeJong for 2017 into the office systems. hired. Management • Budget preparation for 2017 will be General Manager: Julie Vanderveer prepared and presented to finance com- Our office hours during January, Febru- Executive Chef: Shawn Zoldowski Outside Manager : Joe Gorris mittee. ary and March: Monday, Tuesday and Dining Manager: Irena Miller • There will be updated banquet menus Friday’s from 9:00am-5:00pm if you Sailing Director: Nick Hovland as well as new club menus prepared and have questions or just want to say “Hi. Admin Assistant: Sarah Tanis printed. Wind Scoop Editor Jon Bontekoe Web Scoop Nick De Foe • Training manuals and handouts for We also get a lot of requests this time service staff are updated to use in 2017. of year about our reciprocity with other • 2017 Logbook: We work with Editor clubs while people are vacationing. Give Jon Bontekoe to create and fill our Log- us a call and we can help you see if the book with current data and pictures club you are near shares reciprocity with Replace your Logbook • Kitchen maintenance: All kitchen MBYC… it’s another great benefit of photos Now! equipment will be thoroughly cleaned membership! Now is the time to send in new or re- and moved out of kitchen for floor Happy New Year from MBYC – looking placement photos to be used in the painting. forward to many more! 2017 Logbook. Email photos to editor • Building maintenance: There will be Julie Vanderveer Jon Bontekoe or to manager Julie. (jon- painting touch ups all over the clubhouse [email protected] or Julie@MBYC. com.) Your kids have grown up and we Mark Bremer awarded Hanson Rescue Medal for are all better looking than what shows in Chicago MAC WhoDo race crew our 5 to 10 year old photos. Please, send us replacements this month! MBYC Member Mark Bremer and his awarded to any person who rescues or crew have received the prestigious Ar- endeavors to rescue any other person Burgees Burgees Burgees thur B Hanson Rescue Medal for their from drowning, shipwreck, or other Your Logbook editor (jb) is still collect- rescue of 11 sailors from the 48’ Who- perils of the sea within US territorial ing photos of MBYC Burgees to be used Do during the 2016 Chicago-Mackinac waters. For more information consult: “creatively” in the 2017 Logbook. Send Race. WhoDo sank quickly after damage www.ussailing.org. Roger Gamache us photos of MBYC burgees anywhere to her rudder caused a large hole below the water line. MBYC members Mar- interesting or true: Be creative! You have Our cover photos this month taken by tin Graydanus and Scott VanderLinde two weeks to email Burgee photos and MBYC staff. Send MBYC photos to: also provided assistance in the rescue. see your photos in print. Last Call. [email protected] Email to: [email protected]. The Arthur B Hanson Rescue Medal is Fleet Sailboat Racing Programs at MBYC Melges 17 - Affordable For those looking to get more involved any member who would like more infor- Inshore Fun in our various sailing programs in 2017, mation. Please see the contact informa- The success of the Melges 17® can be attrib- here are some write ups with regard to tion provided with each fleet write up, uted to a truly dedicated following of speed the fleets MBYC will be supporting and or feel free to contact Grant Cheney at entrepreneurs. An alternative, double- promoting for 2017. Each fleet captain [email protected] with any ques- handed scow, the Melges 17 has a reputa- would be happy to answer any questions, tions regarding racing in 2017.” tion for being fast and fun in light or heavy air. The rivalry pairings range from husband or help find additional information for and wives to teamed siblings, making the JY 15 - Comfortable 15 footer for crew of 2 Melges 17 the ultimate family racer! • Light and easy sailing: hull weighs MBYC ladies have been racing together for great site to find parts for your JY. Or may- 335 lbs and the carbon fiber spar is only 16 several decades on various types of boats; be you’d like to order a brand new fiberglass lbs our current boat of choice is the JY15. This JY, which is made right here in Michigan • Features an advanced underdeck boat is a one-design racer/day sailor that can at Nickels Boat Works! New boats go for board system be easily sailed with two people. We have an $8,995 and used JY15’s can easily be found • Incorporates the most innovative average of 7-10 boats out every week, with for $2,000 - $4,000. If you are interested in sailing concepts: exclusive Melges Hands many of our skippers owning their own JY. a used boat, feel free to give me a shout and Free Kite System™ (HFKS), roller furling The MBJA owns a couple of boats for us to I’ll try to connect you with someone look- Kevlar® jib with recessed roller furler, self- rent as well. ing to sell. stepping mast design, new foil rudder and shaped boards derived from aluminum ex- We use a round robin pairing of skippers In addition, check out the JY15 Class As- trusions and crew based on weekly participation. sociation website at: http://jyca.org/ and http://www.melges17.com/ This process gets ladies sailing with some- for your racing rules needs you can go to: one new each week, and levels out the expe- http://www.ussailing.org/race-officials/ rience levels. We pair off at 6 pm, then rig rules/. If you’d be interested in joining us boats, launch from the boat ramp or dinghy for our next season which will start at the docks, and race from 6:45 until 8:00-8:30. beginning of June 2017, please contact me!

Following our competitive racing on the Rachel Sligh water, which is run completely by our [email protected] M 17 generous volunteer Race Committee and 616-405-4150 Coaches Don and Jean Bergman, Dave S2 7.9 -- PHRF at 26’ Sligh and Grant Cheney, we hold a weekly MBYC’s S2 7.9 Fleet welcomes new sail- chalk talk where ladies can ask questions JY 15 ors interested in learning how to race! The that may have arisen on the water. Our race S2 7.9 fleet has been racing at MBYC since committee and coaches get a chance to im- 1981. Our boats were built right here in part wisdom upon us, all while snacking on Holland by S2 Yachts, the precursor com- appetizers and sipping our favorite summer pany to today’s Tiara Yachts. Today we beverage. have 13 boats in the fleet that race primar- ily on Wednesday nights from May through If you own a JY and are looking to make September, and additionally at weekend re- some updates to it, www.windrider.com is a gattas. The 7.9 is a 26 foot boat designed for racing, day sailing, and limited cruising. A typical crew is 4 – 6 people. Because of S2 7.9 the simplicity and stability of the boat it is a great platform for novice sailors to begin to develop their racing skills. Most 7.9 crews have positions available during the summer. Simply approaching a skipper and indicating interest will get you involved. Our Fleet has a Facebook page and website www.s279fleet1.com. For additional information contact Fleet Secretary Tim Bosma [email protected]. Roger Gamache PHRF Offshore - 20 to 50 foot -most designs VX1 - 19 foot sailing PHRF or “Offshore” racing has been at that have similar speeds, which provides with 2 or 3 crew the core of MBYC’s sailing program for for fair racing for everyone. In most of our The VX One is an exciting boat that will decades. MBYC boats have won every sig- MBYC sponsored offshore events, we try to leave you grinning after a comfortable 14 nificant offshore race on Lake Michigan, open up a JAM section for jib and main knot downward cruise in moderate condi- and we continue to be well represented in sailors. I think this is one area that racing tions. The boat’s open layout, 2-3 crew many different fleets in events like the Chi- can really grow in our club, and I hope more capacity and simplicity is appealing to all cago to Mackinac and the Queen’s Cup. In JAM boats will consider entering events in sailors. Fleet racing takes place Sunday fact, MBYC finished 2nd in the Chicago to 2017. mornings from 10 – 12 on Lake Maca- Mackinac Yacht Club challenge, with com- tawa. PHRF racing takes place Wednesday bined overall best finishes for our member 2016 was an exciting year for the PHRF nights. Winter series schedule below. If boats in 2016! fleet, with two new additions. Long time you have any questions please contact Sam member Tracy Brand had a great first year Padnos and Michael Norris. PHRF is short for “performance handicap on his J111, “Solution.” And new member Sam Padnos racing fleet.” The goal of the rating system Eric Wynsma launched his modified Farr New Boat: $34,700 Complete with road is to allow boats of all sizes, sail plans and 40, “Usual Suspects” and also had a very trailer and North or Quantum Sails. technologies to compete against each other successful 1st year. We expect more fleet Used Boat: VX One Hull # 198 for Sale on the race course. Our regional rating au- growth in 2017. $26,000 thority is Lake Michigan PHRF lmphrf.org. Contact Info: Fleet Captain: Sam Padnos (616) 405- They can assign a handicap number for time There will be multiple opportunities to race 3902 on time (TOT) or time on distance (TOD) PHRF this upcoming year, starting with Class President: Michael Norris (616) for virtually any offshore boat in the Lake Wednesday night racing through Bayshore 401-7229 Michigan area. Boats can get ratings with Yacht Club, and including our signature 2016/2017 VX One Winter Sailing a spinnaker or with a jib and main (JAM) events like the Commodore’s Cup and Schedule provisional rating. These ratings can be VanderLeek Hospice Cup. I encourage November 19-20 Winter Series #1 - used on your boat, whether you are involved you to get involved and get your boat on Sarasota Sailing Squadron in “serious” racing, or if you are interested in the starting line! I would also remind all of January 14-15 Winter Series #2 - Sara- one of the several family/fun events during our members that virtually every “offshore” sota Sailing Squadron the season for your cruising sailboat. boat is looking for crew at some point or an- February 11-12 Winter Series #3 - Sara- sota Sailing Squadron other during the season. Please ask, we can February 17-19 2017 St. Pete NOOD MBYC in 2016 had PHRF A and PHRF B match you with a boat! I will be the PHRF – St. Pete Yacht Club classes of racing. So within the ratings sys- fleet captain again for 2017. Gcheney66@ March 5-11 Bacardi Miami Sailing Week tems, we can group boats together of similar charter.net 616.437.9890 Thanks! April 1-2 Winter Series #4 – Sarasota rating, so they are competing against boats Grant Cheney Sailing Squadron April 20-23 2017 Charleston Race Week Soling 1 Meter Radio PHRF Control VX 1 Soling 1 meter remote control sailboat fleet: We sailed these one design boats from March through December in 2016! Rules and sail adjustments are the same as big boats, and we typically complete seven races each evening. In 2016, our official season ran May through September, and we scored 119 races and had 18 different boats that raced with us. This is a great way to enjoy sailboat Li’l Recovery Opti Swarm - the kids’ boat racing with other sailors and at a minimal cost (less than $600). There is a lot of information on the MBYC website: Scroll down the “Sailing” tab and click on “R/C Rac- ing” Jack Knoblauch Soling 1 M. RC ----> All photos on front page and here by MBYC staff photographers at the De- cember Holiday Party and New Year’s Eve Party. Macatawa Bay Yacht Club 2157 South Shore Drive PO #207 Macatawa, Michigan 49434

January-February: Dining Closed Dining re-opens Friday March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day