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Exciting New Sport Boat for ASF Intermediate Sailors

By Mike Ferring on May 20, 2013 in Education News, Juniors Program, Sailing News

Gerald Byrnes tries out the new O’pen Bic on Tempe Town Lake. Photo: Phil Freedman

The Arizona Sailing Foundation has bought four new O’pen Bic sport boats for Junior ASF sailors.

ASF president George Tingom says the boats will fill a need to offer a high performance alternative to the Optis for young sailors who have topped out and are looking for something faster and sportier.

The name is a play on the name of the product we all know—the ubiquitous Bic ballpoint pen. But the boat is a play on the new shape of sailing—high performance.

It’s thermoformed polyethylene and rotomolded construction with full roach, fully-battened, clear mylar mainsail. With an open transom, there’s none of that Opti bailing stuff if the boat takes on water.

The O’pen is an international one-design class and you can tell from the promotional video that kids really enjoy them.

Meet the New Members – Kiel and Felize

By Mike Ferring on May 20, 2013 in Sailing News

J.M. and Gail Kiel (pronounced “keel” as on a boat)

J.M. has been a sailor since he was teenager on Lake Erie and then on the Texas Gulf Coast when his family moved there. Gail became a sailor as well when they got married. They spent five years living aboard a 53-foot pilothouse ketch in the Pacific NW including trips up to Canada and Alaska. They have owned a variety of sailboats but their current boats include a Lido 14, a Catalina 22, and a C&C 31. They enjoy both cruising and racing.

Victor Felice and Priska Felice (pronounced fell-EE-chay)

I should have been born with a silver spoon in my mouth–instead my baby pictures show what seems to be a tiller. How did that happen?! I was born in Malta when the Queen still ruled the rocks. Growing up on an island we subscribed to the three S’s–school, soccer and sailing. My first boat was a Mirror 10 that was raced in every season, every regatta and if no one else was out, I’d race a dolphin. All my friends had Mirrors so the competition was lively and fierce. When not trashing our little boats we always were pressed into crew service on the bigger boats–I particularly enjoyed sailing on Swans.

By my late teens I attended an American college in Switzerland on Lake Lugano. Great place for the Mirror! My elaborate transportation plans were in place, called my father and as he listened in silence I waited for his reaction. “No.” But why?! He figured I would most likely not be returning to Malta so he gave my boat to the local boys’ orphanage. He was right–and I am glad my Mirror sailed on.

Half a lifetime later my wife Priska and I spend two weeks in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. The Club Med has a small fleet of Hobies (the tourist “I have no idea what I am doing” ones, 16’s and even 2 Max’s). Ah, but I DO know what I am doing! That is where Priska first became a sailing widow. The following year–same thing! By the time the vacation was ending, the decision was made. Time to buy a boat.

I told my best friend about it and he replied–no you are not. Excuse me?! No as in “No, you are not buying a boat – you are buying my J/24 that is sitting idle in San Francisco.” Not seeing the need to argue, the decision was easy. One great road trip later, that is how CAN2978 ended up in Lake Pleasant. From there, the name changed and the sail number changed from CAN to MLT. Incidentally, Priska still remains a widow, usually three days a week!

Priska, on the other hand, was born in Czechoslovakia, spent many years in Italy and met me in Scottsdale nearly 14 years ago when I was racing open wheel cars. Our common language is Italian which is what we speak at home. She does come sailing with me from time to time (it is very sweet when she pretends to care) but I do agree with her–a “real” sailboat should be at least 45 feet, and look like something Robin Leach would want to be seen on.

Which brings us back to the silver spoon….

Victor Felize aboard Mermaid. Photo: Chris Smith

True Story — When are you leaving?

By Mike Ferring on May 20, 2013 in Sailing News

Tom Hamilton

When are you leaving? How’s that for an answer when your husband announces he wants to sail to New Zealand?

Emory Heisler passed along this link to a cute story about a Phoenix man who bought a 14-foot dinghy and then decided he’d like to sail to New Zealand. The New Zealand trip just whetted his appetite for more.

The story comes through StoryCorps, the public radio group that records the oral stories of regular Americans.

Gorgeous Day for Tall Cactus

By Mike Ferring on April 28, 2013 in Cruising News, Events, Sailing News

The sun and the wind cooperated for the Tall Cactus Regatta Saturday (4/27), as organizer Mike Parker sent boats this way and that before we stumbled over the confused wind of Humbug, scrambling the results.

Tall Cactus brought out Scott McClintock and the Rio Hondo 40 with Emory Heisler at the helm. Photo: Mike Parker

Boats left the start line near Pleasant Harbor Marina in order of PHRF rating, slower boats followed by faster ones and non-spins sent on a shorter course than the spins—just the kind of fun design that suits a for-fun regatta like this one.

The spins headed to the Coles Bay marker, trying to make out which floating white post was the one with the right words on it. Chuck Sears decided on a “no wake” for rounding, and then we all charged off for Castle Creek, around Balance Rock and Horse and then to the chaos of Humbug, to pick our way through the warm-weather revelers, trying to adjust to wind that’s this way and then that way, stopping and then big-puffing.

Greg Jackson on his Viper and Court Roberts on his Melges 24 decided to risk spinnakers after the first twisty blow forced everybody to pull them down NOW. It worked and Greg barely finished ahead of Court at the finish, joining Chuck Sears who had already arrived. Bob Worrall onboard Spirit, his C22, was the first non-spin across, chased by various other C22s.

Mike Parker stoked up the fire for an evening on the beach and a proper end to a fun day on the water.

Here’s a link to pictures that Mike took.

New Chris Smith Pictures

By Mike Ferring on April 26, 2013 in Sailing News

Chris Smith was snapping some great shots Saturday at Lake Pleasant and you’ll find some here.

Chris Smith snaps a Blue Streak. Photo: Mike Ferring

Perfect Conditions for High School Championship

By Mike Ferring on April 21, 2013 in Education News, Racing Updates, Sailing News

Cedric Lorch and the V for Victory! Photos: Phil Freedman

Cedric Lorch signals V for Victory! Photos: Gerald Byrnes

After the first race of the 2013 Arizona State High School Sailing Championship, after hearing the yells from the winning boat, it was apparent whose names would be etched on the championship aulde mug trophy.

Cedric Lorch (son of multi-year AYC club champion Martin Lorch) from Valley Lutheran HS and Mitchell Wenger from Connolly Middle School took home the hardware. But of the seven boats racing, the team of Graydon Sharp and Peter Blake kept the heat on with steady finishes and took second, just four points behind.

Race committee chairman, high school sailing coach, and instructor George Tingom said that this year’s event was by far the best for the championship and thinks next year’s could be even stronger.

“We have a fantastic core of volunteers that will make this event a strong foundation for high school sailing in Arizona,” he says. “We’re hopeful of fielding a bigger turnout of between ten to fourteen boats culminating with a barbeque.”

This year’s champions vow to be back for a repeat.

—Words by Philip Freedman

Rounding the mark at the 2013 High School Championship Regatta.

Final
(Corrected Results with Throw-outs)

1^st Place 6 Points – (Cedric Lorch / Mitchell Wenger)

2^nd Place 10 Points – (Graydon Sharp / Peter Blake)

3^rd Place 15 Points (Bharath Tata / Jake Xu)

4^th Place 19 Points (Luke Marino / Lliya Panfilinco)

5^th Place 22 Points (Madison Cordova / Isabella Hutchinson)

6^th Place 22 Points (Alec Arthur / Daniel Moore)

7^th Place 30 Points (Wilson Davis / Austin / Lannitti)

Wing-on-wing downwind at the Championship Regatta.

Competitors surround organizer George Tingom. Champ Cedric Lorch holds the hardware.

Competitors surround organizer George Tingom. Champs Cedric Lorch and Mitchell Wenger hold the hardware.

How to Keep You Interested in AYC

By Mike Ferring on April 5, 2013 in Sailing News

Participation in sailing and yacht clubs has been eroding for the last many years and plenty of people have expressed an opinion about how to slow or reverse this nasty trend. Here’s one of the most interesting ones, from former ISAF president Paul Henderson. In a nutshell: Keep it simple, inexpensive, local, and fun. There’s a formula we can all get behind!

Southern California Racing Calendar

By Mike Ferring on March 21, 2013 in Sailing News

Here’s a link to the Southern California Yachting Association member clubs calendar, including the Arizona Yacht Club.

Click to link to the full publication.

Taking America’s Cup to the Max

By Mike Ferring on March 19, 2013 in CP, Events, Meetings, Sailing News

The cup is coming but what got us there?

For the April monthly meeting, Philip Freedman offers his view of America’s Cup 34 and what it takes to compete for the sport’s oldest trophy. The meeting is at 7 pm, Tuesday, April 9, at the Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills, 1415 North Mill Avenue, Tempe. Visitors are welcome.

A meteor has hit the America’s Cup and the dinosaurs have disappeared. The oldest sports trophy has become of age. In one of the biggest sport upgrades in history, the America’s Cup has roared into the 21st century and you better use a fast shutter speed to take a shot. This summer in San Francisco Bay, the 34^th America’s Cup will be defended against three countries wanting to take it out of the U.S. An estimated 600,000 will watch the competition from the banks of San Francisco Bay. Never before has the America’s Cup been sailed in a bay rather than in the ocean where few could see.

These are not just sailboats, but 72-foot-long catamarans with 13-story hard-wing masts that go twice the spend of the wind and rise out of the water onto small foils. Their crew of 11 not only wears heart monitors, life jackets and helmets, but will take physical requirements to the limits.

So come spend a fun evening and hear how college, youth sailing and the twelve meters got us to where we are today. Phil warns: This will be fun.

Phil Freedman is an AYC member and longtime sailor who fielded the entry Betsy Ross for the 1990 America’s Cup challenge.

This is the right time for crew to join AYC

By Mike Ferring on February 25, 2013 in CP, Sailing News

If you crew, we’d like you to join the Arizona Yacht Club.

It’s not just for boat owners, but for crew as well and right now you can join for the initiation fee ($150) and half the annual dues ($62.50), because the AYC year is half over. (You’ll need to renew your membership for $125 next summer.) Click this link to sign up!

Why join? To support this great sport, to make sure we have the boats, marks, programs and events for you to enjoy! Don’t leave it to others—join in.

Peter Lehrach crews for me (Commodore Mike Ferring) on our J/80 and he’s not only become a member, but he’s been active on the AYC board of directors and organizes our highway cleaning program. Here’s what he has to say:

Peter Lehrach is the AYC Secretary and a new member of the club. He moved to the area in 2011 after competing in various boats and regattas in the East and South. Peter crews on Commodore Mike Ferring’s J/80.

The only boat I’ve ever owned was a Sunfish more than 30 years ago. Yet I love sailing; I love racing. And I’ve done a lot of it.

I’ve had the privilege of crewing on other people’s boats extensively on the East, West, and Gulf coasts and several lakes and rivers across America. I’ve also had international racing experiences in or to Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and England. I learned very early in my crewing career that if you have some skill, cheerfully volunteer to assist in maintenance, and (most importantly) reliably show up then further opportunities and referrals easily come your way. In many ways I had it dialed in perfectly: I got to do my favorite activity, at little personal expense, and I was appreciated by the boat owner. Our relationship was a benefit to both of us. Until recently however, I never joined a yacht club. In hindsight, that was wrong.

I rationalized that only boat owners need to be members. I thought my use of yacht club facilities (launches, showers, bars, restaurants, etc.), purchase of club-branded shirts, participation in racing, social, and educational events were all necessary for “my” boat owners to take advantage of their yacht club privileges and any personal benefit I received was a show of appreciation from the boat owners.

I now realize that while I had been giving and taking with the boat owner, my relationship with the yacht club had been one-way. I further realized that yacht clubs are the community that enables my favorite activity. You see, without a club there is no racing as it takes more than one boat to have a race. It takes more than one boat crew to have a social event. It takes several interested sailors to attract an educational speaker.

Because of the Arizona Yacht Club, we can get our feet wet in the desert even when there is snow and ice on boats elsewhere in the country. How many people can say that? The racing is well run and competitive, the race committee boats and marks are of high quality, and the opportunities to network and learn with likeminded sailors is unique for the area.

Chances are, if you are a long-time crew, you’ve thought about joining the AYC and then rationalized it away as I once did. For those who have since become members, thank you! If not, please reconsider: AYC needs your membership to strengthen our desert sailing community. Compared to other places I’ve sailed, AYC member financial obligations are downright cheap. The reciprocal privileges are fantastic. Participation on committees and helping with events are personal growth opportunities and will make you feel good. I know I do.

Thank you for considering my message and I’ll see you on the water,
Peter Lehrach AYC Secretary
AYC Member since 2012 (602.741.2016)

Lake Pleasant Sailing Club Sweetheart Cruise

By Mike Ferring on February 4, 2013 in Cruising News, Sailing News

Traditionally February is the month Mardi Gras, Presidential birthdays, and of course love. This year is no exception! On Saturday, February 9, Lake Pleasant Sailing Club (LPSC) members and AYC members are invited to sail Lake Pleasant for one of LPSC’s most popular events—the Sweethearts Cruise. However, because new cruise directors, Tim and Rhonda Brewer, are trying to change things up a bit, a couple of new features will be added to the day.

As usual, only females will be allowed to “man” the tiller or the wheel during the race. The gender and number of crew members are completely up to the skipper, but crew is restricted to sail trim and serving duties. Skippers are invited to meet at the BBQ area of the Lake Pleasant Marina before the race to register their crew and to participate in the pre-race fashion show. Each skipper will earn a one-minute time credit for each piece of pink attire her crew is wearing—up to 10 minutes/boat.

In addition to a description of the cruising course, each skipper will be given a packet of activities that may be completed during the race for additional time credit. Be sure to have a working radio on your boat. As you can see, the Sweetheart Trophy is up for grabs this year!

As always, AYC members are invited to join this event—the more the merrier!

By Rhonda Brewer, LPSC

Active Catalina 22 Fleet and C22 Tuning Tips

By Mike Ferring on January 26, 2013 in CP, Member Interest, Sailing News

One of the fleet’s stalwarts, Bob Worrall.

The Catalina 22 fleet was looking thin last summer, until Steve and Christina Campo jumped in, gave it CPR, and found a bunch of willing participants. Result? Ten entries for the Birthday Regatta and a fleet that’s looking anything but weak.

Stan Ferris produces a newsletter for the fleet and distributes it by email. The latest includes some great tuning tips from fleet captain Steve Campo, who’s generous with his advice (and still runs out front). Click here to see the newsletter.

Birthday Regatta Ends in Strong Breeze

By Admin on January 25, 2013 in Events, Racing Updates, Sailing News

Heavy wind capped the 2013 Birthday Regatta.

Strong wind on the final day of the Birthday Regatta and Leukemia Cup weekend brought a nice conclusion to a successful event, and left everyone feeling good about the big changes this year.

Congratulations to the fleet winners (and everyone who came out to have fun): Matt Davis in Buccaneer; Steve Campo in Catalina 22; Scott Sharples in Laser; Norm Anderson in Merit 25; Stan Susman in Montgomery 17; Brett Johnston in Multi-Hull; Dianna Andress in PHRF Non-Spin; Mike Hester in PHRF Spin; Joe Barnett in Portsmouth; and James Sears in Viper.

The turnout was very good, with PHRF Spin entering 13 boats and Montgomery 17 and Viper entering 12 each.

This year brought a major revision in the weekend: the elimination of the big tent, replaced by Saturday dinner at the Grille at Pleasant Harbor Marina. The change meant something important to AYC: a profitable event! Thanks to Emory Heisler for innovating and organizing the event and to all the volunteers and participants for making it a success!

Final Results

Friday Results

SCYA Midwinters Merchandise Orders

By Admin on January 1, 2013 in Events, Racing Updates, Sailing News

2013SCYAShirt

Hey everyone…

The SCYA Midwinters shirts and hats are available from Pirate’s Lair.

Click here for the order form.

Sign up for SCYA Mid Winter Regatta!

By Admin on December 31, 2012 in Events, Racing Updates, Sailing News

2013 SCYA MidwinterLogo

Arizona Yacht Club will be hosting the Southern California Yachting Association Midwinter Regatta during February 2013, at both Lake Pleasant and Tempe Town Lake.

Our club provides members a variety of ‘round the buoys racing opportunities, which we hope captures everyone’s level of commitment ,ranging from the 8 to 10 race day Spring and Fall Series, to the 5 race day “Saturday Only” Series at Lake Pleasant, to the two – three day events like the Birthday Regatta and Midwinter Regatta. Then, there is also the “long distance” Governor’s Cup and Tall Cactus Regattas. So if you would enjoy racing for a weekend or two, scored with others of the same persuasion, sign up for the Midwinter Regatta. SCYA has supplied us with neat sun visors for all the signed up skippers and some towels we are offering to the first three boats signed up in a single fleet. SCYA is also supplying trophies which will be awarded after the last day of racing.

For a flyer outlining detals Click Here.

Notice of Race

The Big Christmas Party

By Mike Ferring on November 28, 2012 in Meetings, Sailing News

December’s membership meeting brings the annual AYC gift exchange, a gift exchange with a twist. You might say twisted, even. The meeting is at 7 pm, Tuesday, December 11, at the Caddy Shack @ Rolling Hills, 1415 North Mill Avenue, Tempe.

Here’s how the gift exchange works:

You bring a wrapped gift valued at less than $20.
You pick a number from a hat to determine the order we select gifts.
We’ll have two people called to the front of the room at the same time.
Each person can choose to pick a wrapped gift from the pile or play pirate and take the gift from someone who’s already opened one.
Gifts can be “pirated” only twice before they’re safe from further theft.

Consider giving AYC goodies as Christmas gifts. The Ship’s Store will be open at the meeting. Other gift suggestions: Liquor always seems to bring applause!

Here’s what happened last year.

Gorgeous Conditions for Governor’s Cup

By Mike Ferring on November 27, 2012 in Cruising News, Events, Sailing News

Emory Heisler aboard Chris Smith’s J/80 as the sun begins to set on Lake Pleasant. Photo: Chris Smith.

Temperatures in the mid-80s, wind mostly in the comfy 8-10. Pretty much perfect—and the sailors who spent the Governor’s Cup Saturday (11/24) sailing to and fro on Lake Pleasant were pretty much all smiles.

How do you sail 26.2 miles on Lake Pleasant? According to the diabolical plan of organizer Mike Parker, you do it by sailing north, south, east, and west in intersecting lines around obscure buoys, a floating porta-potty, and a couple islands. Surprisingly, the wind was willing to play along. William Fairchild brought his runner’s GPS along for the ride on Peter Hartleb’s J/80 and found that they logged just over 28 miles for the race, finding they didn’t need to do much upwind tacking that could have lengthened the race.

That pirate planner, Mike Parker. Photo: Fatima Chaoui.

In fact, the first finishers were back home before dark and didn’t need the nearly-full moon for navigation. Who won that gigantic Governor’s Cup Trophy? We’re waiting for word from the official scorekeeper and maybe some more conversation about which of those obscure buoys were intended to be rounding marks. All to be sorted out shortly, we hope.

From left: Keith Kintigh, new members Austin and Kirsten Clary, and Brenda Shears tense up for one of the mark roundings during the all-day Governor’s Cup Regatta. Photo: Fatima Chaoui.

Gathering for the morning start to the 26-mile race. Photo: Fatima Chaoui.

Gorgeous conditions during the 2012 Governor’s Cup, with good breeze and warm temperatures. Photo: Fatima Chaoui.

US Sailing Level 1 Instructor Course Here in January

By Mike Ferring on November 25, 2012 in Adult Program, Education News, Member Interest, Sailing News

Registration is now open for the US Sailing Level 1 Instructor course, to be taught here on two intensive weekends in January—the weekends of January 5&6 and 12&13.

US Sailing requires a minimum of 8 students in the course, a number we’ve failed to meet the last two times this course has been offered in Phoenix. So we really need your support this time.

Here’s the sales pitch: Not only does the course prepare you to teach sailing, but it also makes you a better sailor. Course instructor Ray Deppa has taught all of the US Sailing Instructor courses in Phoenix, and he’s a real pro, someone who will leave you knowing more about this game we play. But teaching sailing is actually the best part. Introducing new people to the sport is a lot of fun—seeing them begin to understand how a boat moves through the water by wind alone and seeing the joy they get from figuring it out.

Sign up four weeks or more before the class and it’s $325; after that it’s $345. If you pass the course and teach for the Arizona Sailing Foundation, ASF will reimburse half your tuition. (If you’re a high school or college student, check with George Tingom for possible higher reimbursement rate.)

I just paged through some of the US Sailing material on the course. You’ll find some information here. And the registration begins here. There’s quite a bit of paperwork involved and you’ll need to be a member of US Sailing (a good thing anyway) and you’ll need to pass a first aid and CPR course (definitely a good thing anyway). The prerequisites are extensive. My advice: don’t let any of that discourage you. The other students and Instructor Ray Deppa will help you through it. If you want to pass, you’ll pass.

For questions on the course, check with George Tingom, who’s organizing the course and has been involved in every one we’ve held since 2003 (when I took it).

AYC Powerboat Drivers Must Be Certified

By Mike Ferring on November 24, 2012 in Board of Directors, Sailing News

The AYC Board of Directors has taken a step that the club has been contemplating for years: Requiring that any driver of an AYC or ASF powerboat have a nationally-recognized certification for safe powerboat operation. The requirement kicks in January 1, but we’ll try to follow it immediately.

Fleet Captain Greg Woodcock will come up with a list of certifications which will qualify and we’ll let you know what they are.

This step would not be possible without the enormous contribution of Rob Gibbs, who has conducted two courses for US Sailing powerboat certification, most recently just last month, when 10 people received certification. The people who took the course heaped huge compliments on Rob for his effort and for the quality of the teaching. Our continuing thanks, Rob, for all that you do for the club. And we thank the board of the Arizona Sailing Foundation and its president John Mayall for underwriting the cost of the materials for the powerboat course.

Rob will lead another class on December 14, 15, and 16 and there are still openings for that class (as of 12/1).

The AYC board recognizes that the new requirement won’t prevent accidents or mistreatment of equipment, but clearly it should help. It’s been a constant problem maintaining ASF and AYC boats in prime condition. Most important, we believe this step will reduce the chance of a powerboat injury, which no one wants to see.

Sincerely,
Mike Ferring
Commodore