• Harbormaster

    June Projects Scheduled

    June 1, 2016 - By 

    Ahoy loyal Eagle Creekers, at this time we have rid ourselves of 4 abandoned boats with only ten to twelve to go. A big “Thank You” goes out to Dennis Robertson for all of his hard work getting these eyesores off of our property. It is a very lengthy legal process to track down the owners and get the boats removed. Dennis has a pretty good system defined and operational.

    New Parking Lot Gravel (yea!)

    For our big summer improvement project, we will be adding additional gravel to all parking areas. This will make the entire parking area look much nicer. We don’t do this very often as it is a huge undertaking and a huge expense, but it’s time. We will be laying new gravel throughout the month of June. Jack Hale will be on site moving stone and putting “make up” on the gravel so please be aware of his work.

    We obviously cannot do the entire parking area at once because of the boats, so we have to do it in stages. This means we have to move some boats around – some of which haven’t been moved in a number of years. If you find your boat has been moved, don’t worry. We’ll put it back after the gravel has been placed.

    That means you are going to see huge open areas where there used to be boats and/or trailers. Please do not rush in and put your boat/trailer there thinking you have snagged a “prime location.” If the area used to have boats and is now empty, that means it is an “improvement area” and we are going to do a “gravel drop” there soon, then put the boats back in their original locations. Keep in mind that we have assigned “dry” slips. If you cannot find an open place for your boat, please call me (Kenny Chapman) or Dennis Robertson and we will find you a place.

    Some boat trailers have hitch locks on them. Be advised that at some point, we will have to move your boat/trailer. If you have a lock on your trailer, we will call you so you can either move your boat or remove the lock so that we can move the boat. We don’t want to cut locks off of trailers, but we do need to get this done and we need to move boats to do it. We can’t afford to hold up an area because a locked trailer is in the way and we can’t contact the owner. So, if you have a lock on your trailer, please contact us to work with us.

    Other June Projects (work credits available)

    We have some other projects scheduled for June. We will be building a new shed for Safety & Education, building a boat rack for the Purdue sailing club boats, and we have more docks that need repair. So, if you have some building skills and want to earn some work credits, please contact Dennis or me.

    Volunteers make this club work, and we really appreciate everyone’s willingness to make the club look really nice. We should all be proud of our club. Please help keep it maintained by donating a Saturday to help with a work project.

    Kenny & Dennis

     

  • Racing

    Great wind for Mayor’s Cup 2016

    June 1, 2016 - By 

    Well,  Our 2016 Mayor’s Cup Regatta is often our windiest regatta of the year and this year’s weekend did not disappoint. We had several boats make the trip across town from Indianapolis Sailing Club as part of the new J24 Hoosier Championship Series. The Mayor’s Cup was won by the J24 2XS from Chicago in a seven boat fleet. 2XS is owned by Mark Soya. Both days had very tight racing in steady 18-22 knot conditions with gust recorded at the airport over 30 knots.  Second place in the J24 Fleet went to Jason Hubbard, sailing Absolut and third place went to Commodore Perry Cameron in Sublime.

    Mayor's Cup 2016
    Mayor’s Cup 2016

    The Highlander fleet sent out a guinea pig boat to test the wind on Saturday which quickly scampered back in the cove and the fleet decided to not race on Saturday.  On Sunday, the wind dropped slightly and they got in several races. The Highlander Fleet was won by Japikse, second place was Jamey Carey, and Hollingsworth was third.

    In the Lead
    In the Lead

    The PHRF fleet battled the conditions both days and was won by Jack Hale in his Merit 25. Second place was Leroy Leeman in his J22 and third went to John Kohne also in a J22.

    Hale

    Jack Hale aboard his Merit 25 Buzz Off

    Full Results can be found on the racing page along with the J24 Hoosier Championship Series Results. The dinner was catered by Yats and the Band was fantastic.

    Thanks to Sheela Smith Krout for taking some great pictures. They can be found

    at https://www.flickr.com/photos/42535445@N04/sets/72157668696401316

    Wednesday night racing has been fantastic with lots of beautiful evenings on the water. Sunday June 4th is our first Sunday Funday Race.  Racing will consist of three short races from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. All boats are eligible and there will be prizes warded by the race committee that day. Also this Sunday doubles as our Club Catalina 25 Championship.  Have a Catalina 25???   All you have to do is race that day and if you come out on top, You Win Club Champion Bragging rights for the year (and a great Prize)

    Sunday June 4th  is also the Geist Guzzler Regatta  at Indianapolis Sailing Club. This is a keel boat regatta that is the 2nd regatta in the J-24 Hoosier Championship Series.  Any keelboats from ECSC would be welcome, however, any J-24s that attend will count towards the J24 Hoosier Championship. The average of the top three boats from each club will count for the overall club championship.  I would love to see 3 J24s make the trip. Last year yours truly took first in the J24 fleet and my son Austin placed second in a borrowed boat.

    Sunday June 12th is another Sunday Funday race that will also double as the two and three handed green fleet champs. That means Thistles, Flying Scots, Highlanders…. Let’s get them all on the water.

    The following Sunday, June 19th is not only father’s day (see social calendar for times for Father’s Day event), but also the Father’s Day Downwind regatta (it will also count as a regular Sunday series race. We will run 3 short downwind start races.

    The final Sunday in June doubles as the J-24-Merit 25 champs.  For the Sunday series these races will be scored with the normal PHRF ratings, BUT for the champs….the boats race boat for boat.

    As for Race committee – We have had good turnout during May, however the sign-up sheet looks pretty bleak in June. Don’t forget to follow the link on the racing page and sign up for your volunteer spot.  Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped with RC duty, food and fuel so far this year.

    See you on the water,

     

    Rick

     

  • Membership

    Membership Directories Published

    June 1, 2016 - By 

    Welcome to new members!

    • Daniel and Jeanette Robertson and their daughter, Sarah,  of Indianapolis and sailing an O’Day 25 – Ghost  (Recently purchased from Darren and Tabitha Klem).
    • Andy and Kate McMillian from Avon sailing an S2 yacht – Cuba Libre  (Purchased from Duane Farris).  Andy, Kate and their 7 year old son, AJ, are looking forward to learning to sail on ‘Eagle Ocean’.

    Welcome back to returning member:

    • John George of Indianapolis.

    Please review your new orange 2016 Membership Booklet:

    The new Membership Directory has been published.  Please review your entry to make sure the information is correct.  We already have some corrections to the directory.  Please send any corrections to Membership (use the web site contact page).  We will be sending out an email with all corrections later in the month.

    Ice chests – we have now gone back to locks that you open with your front gate key – ‘16’.

     

    New member orientation.

    The next new member orientation will be in the upper shelter house on Sunday July 17th at 1:00.

  • Safety & Education

    Summer Camp Update

    June 1, 2016 - By 

    We still have some openings for the second week of sailing camp which is June 27-July1, but the first week is filled.  Camp is in a few weeks, so now is the time to get those last minute registrations turned in.  The staff is currently making preparations for a successful 2016 camp.

     We are in need of several adults to be parent of the day during the school weeks.  It just involves sitting in the rib when the boats are on the water and being there if any adult assistance is needed from the camp staff, pretty low key stuff.  You will receive work credit for doing this. Please contact me at safety@ecsail.org if you are interested and we will get you on the calendar.

     Juniors Team racking up the wins!

    ECSC Junior sailors have had two outings so far.  The first was at Leatherlips in Ohio, where Reagan Lessick finished first in Junior.  The second was at Lake Carlyle, Illinois where in big wind Jon Schwartz finished in first place, followed by Reagan Lessick in second place.   Way to represent ECSC Juniors!

     

    We are also looking for young people interested in joining our Junior sailing program!  Send any interested parties my way.

     

  • Store

    Ship’s Store in full swing!

    June 1, 2016 - By 

    Sailors, as many of you now know your ship store is in full swing.  You can purchase items at any of our Regatta dinners and/or social feasts.  There is also a great catalog on our new site for you to visit.  The catalog has detailed descriptions on all items stocked as well as how to acquire.  Check out your store.  This is the only place you can get a variety of items with your club’s logo.

     The Burgee and Caps sale from Mother’s Day through the Mayor’s Cup Regatta is over.  We sold a bunch of caps but only one Burgee.  For the entire month of June the caps will remain on sale at 50% of the list price.  Yours for only $4.00 each.  Sail on!!

     

  • Publicity

    Web site unleashed on unsuspecting ECSC members

    June 1, 2016 - By 

    Finally, after a lot of work and re-work, the new ECSC web site is live. 

    You should have received an email with your login id and a separate one with your password.  Please log in as a member and take a look at the members-only content.  There is a video on the members-only page that shows how to use the member-only content.

    The new site has something for everyone and lots of places to put new content.  Last count, we had over 100 pages of content!

    We even have places for pictures.  Each Committee Head has a media gallery on the Committee’s main page.  The main media gallery has links to all Committee galleries.  Currently, only committee heads can post pictures.  So, get with your Committee Head and get some pictures posted.  Later on, we’ll work on letting everyone post pictures.  One step at a time…

  • Commodore

    Let’s Go Sailing

    May 1, 2016 - By 

    The sailing season has commenced!  The trees are quickly growing their lush coats of green.  Activity at the club is at its expected spring norm, and it appears as if approximately half the boats are already in their slips.  Other boats are getting fresh coats of bottom paint, wax, and various other last minute repairs prior to launch.  This is the spring Eagle Creek experience that we have all come to know and love!

    Now that we are back in the thick of things, it is time to mention a few items.  In the last couple of years, we have noticed an increase in the number of motor boats exceeding the speed limit on the lake.  We have talked to the IMPD and the Park, but without a presence on the water, there is little either can do.  After further discussions with the park, The ECSC Board has authorized the use of one of the 48 hour slips for use by the Eagle Creek Park Ranger.  This action was taken as an attempt to enhance safety and speed limit rule enforcement on the lake while strengthening our club’s important relationship with Indy Parks.

    Please be aware that the first slip on D dock is now reserved for the Park Ranger’s boat. The Park Rangers may also launch a personal watercraft patrol boat from time to time from our ramp. It is also possible, but unlikely, that Park Rangers might enter the club with lights and sirens blaring in response to an emergency situation on the water.

    It is not clear how often Park Rangers will use our facilities. Regardless, club members should always be aware of their possible presence at our dock and on the water.  Please use this as a gentle reminder to obey park rules and observe safe boating practices.  That means PFDs for everyone on the boat, kids must wear PFDs, lights on boats after dusk, etc.

    Remember that sailing quickly loses its fun when someone gets hurt.  Let’s stay safe and have a great season!

    Perry