With the onset of 2019, ECSC is getting ready to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.  The club has come a long way from its modest beginnings in 1969.  Our club began as a collection of Hobie Catamarans lined up on the beach with no supporting club facilities.  Our first building was the lower shelter.  It is still standing and recently received a much-needed overhaul.  Since these early days we have added the upper shelter, the various maintenance sheds, the floating docks, the gin pole, the power washer, the youth sailing sheds, the playground and many other amenities.  We now have 4 gathering areas: The lower shelter near the playground for smaller family-style gatherings The upper shelter for larger social or family gatherings The “Race Pavilion” for nightly and post-race informal gatherings The Junior area for the Junior team What a wonderful club to spend an afternoon or evening! Our big capital project for the year will be replacing the boat ramp.  Our current ramp has lasted several decades, but it is cracked and getting worse.  This is a huge project and a huge expense.  This project alone will consume one-third of our cash reserves but will last us for many decades to come.  50th Anniversary Gala We have big plans for this year to celebrate our 50th anniversary.  Vickie Greenough, Nick Mates and their crew are planning a lot of activities to celebrate.  Current plans are to combine the celebration with the ECSC Beach Party.  There will be more to come in later months.  Vickie and Nick will need a lot of help.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Vickie (social@ecsail.org). Dry-dock Storage Once again, we are nearing boat storage capacity.  In order to manage our space better, we are going back to assigned dry slips.  Several years ago, each dry-docked boat was assigned a specific parking lot space.  We went away from that practice several years ago, but it’s time we went back to assigned spaces.  Harbormasters Dennis Robertson and Ki Hickok will be sorting that out, but members will have first dibs on their existing spots.  Open spaces will be awarded based on seniority just like the wet slips. 2019 Budget Update The board approved the 2019 budget at the January board meeting.  In addition to funding our normal activities, we will be funding the 50th Anniversary Celebration.  We are also making some much-needed improvements to the club including: Replace the mast raising gin pole – the current one is nearing its useful life. Replace the dilapidated boat ramp – it is severely cracked. Replace the aging motors for the race committee boats. They are beyond their useful life. Replace the Social Shed refrigerator and the industrial grill in the upper shelter The repairs will take about 6 weeks.  Current plans are to begin work one week after the Hornback regatta.  That means all boats must be out of the water by mid-October, or you will have to use the public ramp on the other side of the lake.  There will be several warnings and announcements as we get near to the end of the sailing season. The current mast raising pole is made of wood with a fixed lifting arm.  This arm has been hit several times by members driving down the lane next to the water. The new design calls for a metal pole with a movable lifting arm that can be moved out of the way to prevent boats from hitting the lifting arm.  Our Race Committee Safety Boats have motors that are 15-20 years old.  One is no longer working, and the other is nearing its useful life.  We are replacing both motors this year.  We replaced a broken motor a couple of years ago, so this gives us all new motors for the main safety boats. Remember to get out to your boat to check on your boat covering.  Please inform others if their boat needs attention. Geoff Endris Commodore