     The summer of 2006 is over! A million thanks to the many, many water goers who lent a hand with all the waterfront projects and upkeep this summer. Since the lake level has not dropped all season, the launch ramp will be deep enough to allow larger boats out at OYC. But watch the lake level as the city will try to drop it as best it can for the winter by end of Oct The south dock and swim docks will be taken out by volunteer club members either by select volunteer group in Sept or at the fall clean up Oct. 15th. Part of the south (ramp) dock stays in until the end of Oct. if there is declared interest by boaters or fishermen who would be responsible for taking the rest out. Please send an email to me to sign up early.
     Trailer Owners in the upper field or in the parking lot are responsible for their chocks under their tires. They need to stacked in the pile at corner of each area before driving off as the mower can not see them until it hits them resulting in mowing down time. For your safety get trailer maintenance done the weekend before you load your boat: tires-inflated, lubed, taillights-check wires and bulbs, safety chains. More OYC stickers can be picked up by making arrangements with me. Boats, trailers mooring balls, and hoists all need to be ID. Also many shore skids and storage sailboat parts are to be labeled with both owner’s name and OYC, they need to be.
     Lift owners should get boats and docks out of the lift area as soon as possible because the hoists get pulled when the crane operator has a free Sunday any time after Oct. 15th. Leave your lift locked in an up position for the crane to take it out. Any boat, lift or trailer old dock parts left on, near, behind the gabions will be cleaned out –you leave it you lost it. Be sure your dock and poles neatly stacked together If you are thinking of boating after that date, you may trailer your boat from the club or find a friend with an empty mooring. Any lift owners that are making changes of any type please call me.
     Mooring owners, your winter preparations should include: 1) taking your boat to a car wash to pressure wash off the algae right away; and 2) bringing in your buoy and dropping the chain so the links are not wearing thin all year and the ice doesn’t drag the mooring or snap the buoy off. You may attach either line or cable to a spar buoy or two Clorox bottles with your name on them and a name on a tag on the chain. Leave some slack so you are not lifting your chain up and down on the sandy bottom all winter. It also comes in handy when the water level raises 3ft in the spring so your top bottle is not below water level. Be careful too much slack can wrap on a neighbors line. One bottle can be knotted five feet below the surface and three quarters full of water as back up if your top bottle goes. The surface bottle can be 1/3 to ½ full of water. Many polypropylene lines and cables unknot unless you secure the free line end to the main line with nylon self fastening straps, or wire clamp nuts. Clear plastic bottles are too thin while some others types are too brittle; laundry detergent type bottles are best, they are of flexible and strong plastics. 3) Check your hardware for wear and tear. Every year we have boats break off because that $6 part could last one more season.
     Winter Boat storage: at the club is a ‘first come first serve’ on the basketball side of the south lot. Please pull in tight; also be sure your insurance is paid up in case of damage. Off site see latest boaters directory on club bulletin board for ideas.      If you leave a kayak, canoe, sunfish, lazer, inner tube, etc you are asked to move them off shore so they are not in the picnic area, behind is ok, or blocking access also. Be sure your insurance covers it being left.
     If you have boats, lifts, and other nautical items for sale, put your notice in the display case at the club. Do this by lifting the front back toward you and up – bring tacks. Members enjoying fall picnics or walks around the club will stop and look

Any suggestions you have to make the waterfront better email Ralph Estrich at 253-2935 or

Click on name to send e-mail.

Grounds

By Tom Graber

Grounds Director

     I hope everyone got the most out of the water this summer. There were times though that we had to put up with more water falling between the clouds and the lake than we would like. There were those times where everything was perfect. We just have to take the good with the bad I guess.
     On that note, it is that time of the year where the "good" days are near the end, and the "bad" task of fall clean-up is upon us. Saturday,October 14th. is the day (15th if water falls between the clouds and the lake]. Think of it as a end of the year get-together with your friends. As is always the case, the more people who show up, the lighter the task. I have said this in the past, and it remains true, The greatest asset the club has is not the location, the facilities, or the great sunsets, it is the people who are willing to give generously of their time to make sure that the club is the place to be in the summer. Please be one of them.
     If you are unable to attend the "batten down the hatches" day, call or e-mail me. There may be tasks before or after that you can take care of.
     The honor roll list of people who went above and beyond this year to keep our grounds facilities great include: Rich Knaul, Peter Whiting, Steve Vincent, Don Devine, and Joan Macholl, who did a teriffic job as our steward. Thank them when you see them.

Suggestions,problems, ideas, Call me. 255-3662.

Click on name to send e-mail.

Inside The Buoys

By Janie Darovskikh and Ellen Cotter

Swimming Directors

     Another outdoor swim season has passed, and I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m having a really hard time accepting it. There was a small contingent of the die-hards in the water as recently as the 18th of September (I saw with my own eyes Adele, Lois Riley, Carol Kenny, Don Devine, Deb Leone, and Brigi Cotter and I have heard of others). We seemed to have been a bit robbed at the end of August, so I’m wondering if anyone else would like to carve pumpkins outside at the Club this fall if the weather allows. Call me if you think you might be interested.
     Good news to pass on: We will contract with Ed Wagner and crew to take out the swim dock this fall. So those of you who might have decided that you had to stay home to shampoo your hair on October 14 (Clean-Up Day) instead of coming to heft that dock out of the water take note: your presence is now requested to do some other (undoubtedly lighter) work.
     I would like to take some space to recognize our lifeguards, who did a great job keeping us safe and up to code this summer: Chelsea Leone, Dan Keegan, Preston Chaffee, Reagan Cuddy, Matt Sloan, and Candice Elliot, you rock. Thanks for a job well done and for making what I’m supposed to do easy and enjoyable. (And please come back to us next summer.)
     There are many more people to thank as well for making our yacht club such a fantastic place. I don’t always know whether people would like to see their names out there in print, but you know who you are and please know that your work is appreciated. So much gets done that people can see and much more that people can’t see, but if it weren’t done, we’d all notice.
     Hope to see you all at Clean-Up Day!

Ellen

Click on names to send e-mail.

Sailing

Jim Kusche

Sailing Directors

     I think we had a great summer. The sailing is mostly over but we are still trying to get out on the nice days. We’ve switched to Saturdays to accommodate the football games on Sunday so if it’s nice come on out.
     We did a few new things year that I hope we can continue in years to come. The sail to Cascade for lunch was a first and will be put on the schedule again next year for those that missed it. The windsurfing clinic was a great event for the few that participated. Tom Lepak is an excellent instructor and we’ll try to get on his calendar next year as soon as the water warms up. One thing we planned but never actually did was a night sail. This will be planned next year during one of the full moons.
     From the racing front, new perpetual trophies have been added for the Labor Day Regatta and the summer series multihull class to better represent the current activities. The Labor Day Regatta has become a regular event and needed a trophy to reward the winners. Also, the decision was made a few years ago to break out the multihulls as a separate class, similar to the One-Design which has evolved to represent the Flying Scot class. A Multihull trophy is being designed and should be ready for the annual meeting. Returning multihull sailors, Brad and Louise, and Russ Kincaid helped make this happen. All the racing results can be viewed from the sailing web page. The Labor day regatta was again a 2 day event wit one day as a long distance. This year say Brad and Louise smoke the field on the long distance with a 30 mile reach consisting of 3 laps around the Lake Buoy. (all I saw was spray from a distance). Thanks to all those who participated.
     See you on the water.

Click on names to send e-mail.

The Galley & Ship’s Store

By Valerie McKenzie

Kitchen Director

Galley

      We were so thrilled to have Kendra and her competent staff on board this summer. WE are looking forward to her return for the summer of 2007, just 9 months away.
      The window service was varied, delicious and always served with a smile. Our brunches and dinners were consistently a treat for the eye and mouth. We appreciate all the work involved for Kendra in setting up a new operation, in a new location. I am sure things will be even better next summer. We are all looking forward to June 23, 2007.
      I would appreciate any suggests or ideas you could share with us about operations or food in the Galley. We will be meeting with Kendra soon to discuss this year and our plans for the future. Thank you.

Ships Store

WE have a new inventory of OYC clothing this year. Our new printer has done a wonderful job with our logo. We have T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts and hoodies. We also have the new low profile caps and wonderful totes. If you would to order any items for birthdays or Christmas gifts please email or call at 730-7165.

Thank you for all your support and help this year. I am looking forward to 2007

Click on name to send e-mail

Home Port

By Ron Bachta

Buildings Director

      As I reflect on what a great time we've had at the club this summer, I can't help but think of all that's been accomplished in regard to building improvements.
      Changes to the clubhouse include: new windows, carpeting, ceiling lighting fixtures and fans. The exterior doors at the north entrance were reframed and hung. They work alot better now!
      Changes to the Bath house include: new exterior doors and frames and a beautiful mural in progress.
      Numerous improvements took place at the stewards house and adjacent bunkhouse. The following occurred: New smoke detection/Security System installed, foundation work, new porch, new screens, windows glazed, new electrical work, new gypsum board ceiling and walls and vinyl flooring in kitchen, painting throughout.
      The garage may see new paint if time and weather permits. The brush has been cut back and the siding have been scraped to date. Alot has been completed to be proud of.
      There's still plenty of time to enjoy the ambience of the club. Maybe roast a hotdog or two, or drown a worm while dreaming about that lunker. Whatever your pleasure. enjoy.

See you at the club.

Click on name to send e-mail

Owasco Yacht Club Inc.

Yacht Club Lane

Auburn, NY 13021

Phone Editor:(315) 252-3949

To Email Editor:

Grammer and spelling errors are those of the individual authors.

Last Revision: 9/23/06