• Vice Commodore

    Vice Commodore’s Report – July 2023

    Fellow ECSCers,

    I hope everyone is having a great Summer so far, and I’m happy to see the grounds and docks very active whenever I’m at the club.  It seems like our membership is getting a lot of enjoyment out of the new improvements we made in the last couple years.  Kids are loving the upper shelter playground, families are having lunch at the Captains Corner and playing on the beach, and campers are trying out the new grassy area up the hill behind the upper shelter (it’s a great view up there). This is great to see!

    I’m happy to report that ECSC’s hosting of the Alex Rust Regatta last month was a success.  We partnered with the Chasing Bubbles Foundation (CBF) to host paddleboard races, a build-your-own-boat competition, and a sailing regatta. We had about 80 registrations that generated over $3,000 in funds that will go toward restoration of SV Bubbles in the USVI’s as well as go to help kids in India earn an education and chase their dreams. Thanks to all who came out and participated; it was a very fun day! We hope to continue hosting the event in the future.  

    A huge thank you to Vickie Greenough and Nick Mates for hosting our ECSC Beach Party this weekend.  That may have been our largest turn out for the event. Our next “big event” will be the Ladies Regatta on August 5th. If you’re a guy like me, don’t let the gender exclusivity of the name keep you from coming out that day. Plenty of guys will be on the water spectating or supporting the race.  I’ll be DJing from the aircraft carrier pontoon to get everyone dancing and having fun on the water.  And don’t forget about the raft-up after the race. In the past, we have had plenty of boats offering to chauffeur people to and from the raft up.  So come on out and enjoy another fun day on the water. 

    On the topic of facilities improvements, Erich Rose is very close to getting an updated quote for replacing D dock. That dock is by far in the worst condition, so we plan to pull the trigger on replacing it – hopefully – this fall. More details to come on that.  Replacing the docks is something we had to do every 30 years or so. However if we go with the better composite-board docks (like Rick’s new docks) then maybe we can get 50 years out of the new docks. It will be a big expense but we have enough money in our account to get the process started without any special assessment to our membership. 

    NEW HAND WASHING STATION BY THE PORTA POTTIES.   This is a big one.  It was there during COVID and we all loved it.  So we brought it back and plan to have it there every sailing season (as long as the price stays reasonable).  Now we can all save a trip up the hill if we want to wash our hands. 

    That’s about all I have for a July update.  See you guys on the water!

    EJ Williams

    Vice Commodore

  • Social

    Social – July 2023

    I hope you have enjoyed our events thus far.  You may have noticed that we are trying to include some vegetarian options in the mix.

    Big thank you to Nick Mates and crew for arranging a very successful Beach Party!  The weather was perfect for the evening.  

    Food was catered by City Barbecue the Whole Hog did not disappoint. 

    Our next event is Labor Day Kickoff.  Please note this event will be on Saturday evening the weekend of Labor Day in hopes to allow for extra time on the water!  We will have a DJ so put on your dancing shoes!  The club will provide the main course and beverages and we ask that attendees bring a dish to share in true pitch-in fashion. 

    We are also beginning our planning for the annual Lobster Fest.  We have been able to keep the cost to members down in the past, however with the rise in cost of both Lobsters and Steak, we may need to increase the cost this year.  Stay tuned for more information.

    Below is a quick snapshot of the remaining season’s events.  Those in bold font require RSVP and Pre-payment.  More details to come closer to the events.

     

     Labor Day – Saturday, Sept 2nd – 6:00 pm – Host/hostess needed

    Lobster Fest – Saturday, Sept 23rd – 6:00 pm – Hosted by the Orndorff’s

    Chili Cookoff – Saturday, Oct 7th – 6:00 pm – Host/hostess needed

    Final Bash – Saturday, Nov 4th – 6:00 pm – Hosted by Ki and Erin Hickok

     

    Thank you in advance to those willing to volunteer their time to assist in making our club a more enjoyable place to be. 

     

     Vickie Greenough – Social Chair

    Jennifer Curtis – Asst. Social Chair

     

  • Commodore

    Commodore’s Report – July 2023

    Ahoy Eagle Creekers!

     

    I  have been away from our lovely club for several weeks, but I would like to report that your commodore has just completed the 2023 Transpacific race from LA to Hawaii.  This was my 4th race to Hawaii.

    Our boat was a J125 named Nereid. We finished 1st on our class of 9 and 2nd place in the overall rankings.  I have proudly worn my ECSC gear as I represented our club at both Hawaii Yacht Club and Waikiki Yacht Club.  Conditions were epic in this race.  Our top speeds were in the 23 to 24 knot range.

    I know that our committee heads have been busy planning the rest of our season and I am excited to hear the stories from the ECSC Regatta and Beach party.

     

    Sail Fast, Sail often,

    Commodore Rick Graef

  • Racing

    Racing – July 2023

    Fellow Members

    Since the last Telltales, we have had a very successful Mayor’s Cup Regatta with a very good turnout and many very delighted sailors for a spectacular two-day weather and racing experience.  It is uncommon to have two perfect sailing weather days in a row for our two-dayregattas but this one was exceptional.  Thanks to all our volunteers and PRO’s for their excellent work in making this such a positive event.

    Our next regatta is coming up this next weekend.  The ECSC Regatta is paired with our largest summer social event the Beach Party.  They both occur this Saturday July 15th.  The NOR and the SI are now published on our ECSC website on the racing page.  There is no fee for the regatta but will be a fee for the party which is handled through the Social Committee.

    The work on the utility pontoon boat (Aircraft Carrier) has been completed.  Thanks to Dennis Robertson, Perry Cameron and Charlie Brehob for their work in getting this difficult job completed for the club.

    The Summer Racing Series for Sunday and Wednesday are nearly complete and the competition has been very strong and close for the top positions.  Our Sunday racing participation is improving compared to previous years.

    Come out and join us or volunteer on the committee boat and just watch us!!

    John Kohne

    Nancy Goff

  • Racing

    Racing – June 2023

    Racers and Non-Racers

    ​The racing program is off and in full bloom.  The successful running of the Mayor’s Cup is the traditional marker each year that all the capacities of our program are up and running.  A big thanks to all our volunteers who have made this possible.  Congratulations to all those that won trophies and awards at the Mayor’s Cup this year.

    ​We have a full summer of upcoming ECSC and non-ECSC racing events this summer.  The Chasing Bubbles Event is coming up on June 17th and will offer various social and sailing events that all members are invited to attend even though the event is put on by the Chasing Bubbles Foundation and is a celebration of their mission and achievements.   Please check the ECSC website and Facebook page for details.  Then on July 15th is the ECSC Regatta followed by the ECSC Beach Party. In August we will have the Ladies Regatta and the Single-Handed Regatta.

    ​The new Primary Racing Officer race management program is going very well with great participation by all that are involved.  We have also had some super volunteers this year that are giving more than their share of volunteer hours to our racing efforts.  Many thanks to them.  The Sunday race committee effort is also drawing more attendance than last year, and we are hopeful this venue will continue to grow as more racers experience the value of this offering.

    ​Always looking for more non-racing volunteers to get a chance to participate in the race committee work on the water.  This is a very easy way for many to see racing firsthand without having to race your boat.  Come out and have some fun with us by volunteering by giving Nancy Goff or I a call.

    John Kohne

    Nancy Goff

  • Junior Program

    Junior Sailing – May 2023

    ​Well, Boys and Girls:

     

     

    Jr. Sailing Camp 2023

     

    All three class weeks are fill up..

     

    (But check back on the Web Page, there might be some late opens.)

     

    The 8-12 age group filled up with-in 2 weeks. This year we were limited to 60 kids, we lost Two instructors this year due to moving and going to college. We require they pass the US Sailing Level 1’s, Instructors course, CPR and Red Cross certificates. Those that pass the first time, will have US Sailing Level 1’s fee’s reimbursed. They can start at age 15, also must have Indiana Power Boat Permit.

     

    ~

    Jr. Team News

     

    Wayne’s World : The weather man said, Cold and light wind both days.

    Boy did he get it right, wind out of the south east…shift… south west.

    Saturday’s wind was predictable, a time shift!

    When the wind comes across the dam, check your watch,

    in about 2-3 minutes watch for the shift!

    On to the race, we got in 5 races, 8-10 out of the south…

    Reagan Lessick show her speed and knowledge of Eagle Ocean.

    Olivia DeGrella was fast down wind, but her team mate Reagan did her job to finish 1st overall. Tony Hubbard finished 3rd. After 2 capsizes going up wind. Ralph Merriman pulled him out with in our 45 second time rescue duty. (cold water, NO wet suit)

    Our hat is off to Kenny Chapman and Bob Hickock also.

     

    Many Thanks to all the help you guys!

     

    ~

     

    For more update news and pictures check us out on facebook:

    ECSC Junior Sailing Team

  • Commodore

    Commodore – May 2023

    Commodores report –

     

    Lease renegotiation –

     

    Brittany Davis – I emailed mid April regarding the need to get a meeting on the books as lease expires at the end of 2023.  Have not heard back yet.

     

    After discussions with member Jim Weir, who has been involved in numerous lease renegotiations, he gave us the contact of Don Colvin who has is a deputy director at Indy Parks.  Ej has reached out to him also.

     

    We have had a real estate appraisal done by Mark Ratterman of Resource LLC.  This was done so that we have our own independent appraisal as opposed to just using the City’s.  For the last 2 lease renegotiations, the city has done an appraisal and set our rent at 10% of Appraised Value.  From 2005 to 2012 it was set at $40,500. From 2013 to the present it was set at $47,150.  Our independent appraisal came in at about 20 percent increase from our current levels.

     

    In the past we have argued unsuccessfully that we should not have to pay the standard retail rate of 10% of assessed value as we are not a “for profit” business and in fact our lease states that we and our members cannot receive compensation.  As many of you also know, we were established in partnership with the City when the reservoir was formed as the city leaders at that time want a reservoir with sailboats and a family atmosphere.  

     

    We will remind the city of all these things, but will likely still be dealing with paying our rent at 10% of valuation.

     

    EJ has continued to work on getting the gate at the top of the hill automated (as the rest of the parks gates are) however, we feel that until we are on solid ground with the city/lease it isn’t prudent to make any major capital expenses.  In fact, my last email regarding lease renegotiations stated that we have several large ticket capital expenses ready to go but want to ensure that the lease is going smoothly before committing to things like gates, docks and other major capital expenses.

     

    I will discuss lease renegotiation expenses in new business and the DEI initiatives in old business.