A lot of activities are planned for the Club this year. Racing will be having the weekly racing programs and a full schedule of regattas. The Sail Indiana program will be getting under way at the beginning of the summer. Social has another full calendar and Harbormaster Kenny, I’m sure, will be most appreciative of your muscle power at one of his work parties. If you’re wondering what to do this summer, look no further. New and old members alike, the best way to get involved in the Club is through volunteering in the many functions the Club offers.

"B" dock will be replaced as soon as possible after the skating rink disappears. If you have any items on the old dock you’re fond of, it might be a good idea to retrieve them as soon as possible or they could be lost to the dock gnomes. After "B" dock has been replaced and the grounds cleaned up, "A" dock refurbishment will begin.

Several of the Board members recently met with the Club’s insurance agent for a policy review. One thing our agent suggested was to remind the Club members who have boats on the grounds (either dry docked or in a slip) is that the Club does not carry insurance coverage and is not responsible for any type of loss on your boat. It is necessary for each boat owner to carry their own boat insurance.

Greg Johnson, Commodore

The plan will be simply to move the old docks ashore to make way for the contractor that will be installing the new dock system. None of this work can take place until the ice is completely gone. At such time, we shall begin beaching and sorting sections to be saved or dispersed to others. Hopefully, this won’t take more than one or two consecutive weekends. weather permitting.

The slip waiting list always seems to be drawn to unneeded attention this time of year. Or at least some people like to make a big deal out of drawing as much attention as possible for some misguided reason. Actually, it’s just one guy who has his own slip (for now) and just loves to drive the Harbormaster nuts every damn year!

Here are the facts. If you subleased a slip last year, it is no guarantee you will get one this year. The first crack at a new slip is by people with a dated slip change request filed with the Harbormaster (I have about 15 requests dating from 1999 and most of them won’t be fulfilled.). Then the people on the list that usually always pass get asked. When they pass, the next people on the list are then offered a permanent slip in the order they appear on the list. At that time, they will be required to cough up the slip fees or pass.

If you are on the slip list, you don’t send slip money in unless you have a permanent slip...which would mean you are not on the list anyway. Subleases will be offered to the next person on the waiting list, as they become available.

Anyone receiving a sublease will be required to pay a prorated amount for the length of time they use the slip. That money will be reimbursed to the permanent slip owner, who does have to pay for their slip in advance.

If you are interested in working on and taking charge of several small jobs at the Club, even if it means working many more hours than you can get in work credits, then keep reading this newsletter. I will also post job lists at the Club in the main shelter house bulletin board.

As always, we will attempt to open the Club the first weekend of April. If a rainout occurs, the next weekend will do nicely.

NO WHINING! This has been a public service announcement from Kenny Chapman your friendly neighborhood Harbormaster.

Kenny Chapman, Harbormaster

The 2001 racing schedule has been set with assignments for Race Committee and Safety Duty. Please look at the schedule and make arrangements to trade with someone if you have a conflict. If you are not on the list and would like to help out, please give me a call.

This year, the PHRF committee will only review numbers that have been asked to be looked at. If you have concerns regarding a specific PHRF number, please let me know and we will have the PHRF Committee look at it.

Our Race Committee and Safety training meeting will be March 28th, 7pm, at the North Pointe Bay clubhouse, 2600 West 96^th street. One of our goals is to improve the starting lines and race courses this year. If you plan to race this season or are interested in racing, please plan to attend this meeting. We also hope to have information regarding the new rules by this time.

If you have any questions or would like to help out, please feel free to give me a call or send me an email or ecscracing@hotmail.com.

Terry Killen, Racing

If you sent me your dues in a timely matter.... Thanks!

Believe it or not, it won't be long before you'll be able to use your boat.

Please welcome two new families to our Club:

Joe & Debbie Hatmaker and their son Darren (age 10). They sail a Santana 20 "Dolphin."

Geoff & Myra Endris sail a Hunter 185.

Keli Mates, Membership

Greetings, Eagle Creek sailors of Eagle Ocean. Welcome to the sailing jones world of Tailer’s Tales. That just sounded so good I just had to use it again. Besides, I’m still jonesen aren’t you?

The warmth of this month sure makes my wallet feel better. Even now as I ramble on, I realize it’s time to insert some of the tips from last year to educate some of the older members who think they were here before the dirt was trucked in.

1) The high-pressure water sprayer is for your boat and it’s free. Your gate key will unlock it and it will run for five minutes when activated. It will also shut off just before you’re finished.

2) Using the ramp. Don’t be a ramp hog. Try not launching just before or after a scheduled race at the Club. Before motoring to your slip, check if someone is in it.

3) Lock the gate on your way out at dusk.

4) Don’t forget to put a buck in the bag for the ice you just got from the Club ice chest.

5) When the porta-potty gets full, please use the big gray dump tank by the port-o-let. It’s just one of those silly rules we go by to keep the E-coli levels down in the lake (In case someone goes swimming).

6) Swimming is forbidden. If the cops catch you in the lake, it’s a $95 fine. Add $150 if they catch you at the Club. The Club gets the big fine but you, the criminal, get to pay it. CRIME DOES NOT PAY!

7) The Club owns and maintains 7 or 8 Laser sailboats. They are for your use. Your lack of karma would show if you attempted to use them while sailing school is in session.

8) Chair party. Chair party. Chair party!

9) Reserving the shelter house for special events is only acceptable if prior permission is granted from the Commodore.

10) The Ship’s Store is a great place to get hats, shirts, jackets, and other great ECSC stuff. It is run by the Vice Commodore and is open for all regattas and social events.

11) Do not wait until April 30^th to ask the boat shop to paint your bottom, unless putting in around July sounds good.

12) Mark the social events now on your calendar. They really are a lot of fun and a great way to meet some interesting members. Also, think about attending some of those regatta dinners...those racers are crazy! You have to sign up a few weeks in advance for dinner and dancing only (non-racing) at the regattas.

Stand by for more lines......

Tailer, Staff Writer

It is hard to believe that our first social event of the 2001 season has passed. Our bus trip to the Strictly Sail boat show was a big success. We had 35 people attend which nicely filled the bus. Everyone came home with the shoes they went with...along with their personal purchases.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a special THANK YOU to Dr. Bob McCoun, Annie Cameron, and Sue Ross for all of their help in cleaning the bus and keeping me sane. I couldn’t have done it without them.

Our Mother’s Day brunch is coming up in May. If you would like to volunteer to help Bill Harrington with this event, please feel free to contact me (or Bill) and we will find a place for your talents.

I am looking for suggestions for any other social activity that you might be interested in. We had an Indians baseball night last year that was a lot of fun for those who went. Any interest in that again this year? Keep me posted, I’m always looking for a reason to have a party!!

Edna Sprowl, Social

Finn Thing - June 2/3/4
Mayor’s Cup Regatta - June 9/10
E.C.S.C. Regatta - July 7/8
5 For 5 Regatta - Sept. 1
Governor’s Cup Regatta - Sept. 8/9
Hornback Regatta - Oct. 13/14

I’m the guy with a slip that just loves to drive the nutty Harbormaster friendly....or was it the other way around? Anyway, it always seems to be the publisher of the Telltales that gets the requests for the Slip Wait List.

Let’s see, it’s annual dues time...time to send in hundreds of dollars to our fair Club. That means decision time...is it worth sending in the dues if it means another four years until getting a slip? Well, no one wants to predict how long it will take a new member to obtain a permanent slip. But, at least we can publish the list so they can predict for themselves. Besides, if there’s a problem with the list, it might help to sort it out before the assignments are made.

Of course, the Harbormaster doesn’t want to publish anything until it is finalized...which is after the membership has been established by the dues deadline (March 1st), and the slips have been assigned. Soooo, getting a Slip Wait List out of him now is like doing a cruising starboard tack across the A Fleet during the Governor’s Cup.

Evan Williams, Publicity

1981 Catalina 22 - Boat in very good condition, all wood has been refinished. Includes main, jib, 130% Genoa, 4hp long shaft Johnson motor, pop top cover, and trailer. Ready to sail. Great family boat. Can be seen at the Club. $3,900 Greg Jacoby  gjacoby @bdmd.com

1985 Laguna 24’ sailboat, Honda 7.5hp 4 stroke motor, and brand new galvanized, tandem-axle trailer. Boat: Good condition, dinette interior, fixed keel, roller furling 150% genoa, compass, galley, porta potti, 1 year old deep cycle battery. Motor: Reliable Start, with battery charger. Trailer: Hydraulic surge brakes, spare tire, tongue extension. $11,000 obo. Lee Wolff

Highlander #935 "the blue boat" - Fast, race and regatta winner, would win more with a good skipper. $6000 Call Mike Huffer huffers2@msn.com

Highlander #425 - Red fiberglass hull with white wood deck, teak seats and trim. New main, jib & spinnaker, also additional sails. New Harken hardware, halyards and sheets. Good mooring cover. Good trailer with new wheels and tires. $2,350 Mike Kaschak

1991 27' Hunter w/Trailer. 10 hp motor and swim deck. Ted Britton