Fire at the club

As I was starting to prepare this newsletter word came from John Joehnk that a fire, started on Saturday by our neighbor up the road, had gotten out of control and propelled by a north wind started up the hill you see in the picture. When the wind went south it came back down, jumped the fence and entered the dinghy park. The fire engines responded and kept it from going any further. The only evident damage was to an inflatable dinghy. It is a good thing that we mowed last fall as burning the low grass did no damage to boats on trailers. If you had a boat on the southeast side of the dinghy park you may want to check it. There probably wasn't any damage but even though the person who started the fire had a permit he is still liable. I checked on Monday morning and piles of brush were still smoldering. - Carl

Dues Due

Dues were due on March 1^st to reserve last year's mooring and dinghy space. If we have received your dues, membership cards will be included with this newsletter. If we don't hear from some of you soon this may be the last newsletter you receive.

Spring Work Day and Banquet April 8th

The Social Directors will be providing breakfast goodies for members showing up to work at the Spring Work Day. Come hungry for food and work since we plan to knock out a few tasks to get the club grounds ready for a busy season! Start time 9 a.m.

After we finish the work the social directors are going to lay on a DELICIOUS array of grilled meats. We plan to get a variety of grillable meats giving us alternatives for our taste buds for those tired of hot dogs.

Spring Banquet

We found a nice sized place at the right price, checked out the facilities and tested the food. The Board of Directors decided on a menu of barbeque beef and chicken served buffet style with all the trimmings. So, we are off and running to bring you an enjoyable spring banquet at an affordable price, and an informative presentation on racing or travel by sail to Antartica afterwards.

Where: Lucky's Brewgrille 710 North Manhattan Avenue in Aggieville.

When: April 8th at 6:00 p. m. It should last about 2.5 hours.

Why: A gathering of kindred spirits of wind and waves.

How: Send a check for $10.44 per person made out to Blue Valley Yacht Club by April 1, 2000.

Checks and reservation requests should be sent to the following:

TJ Ciaffone

2829 West 60th Avenue

Manhattan, KS 66503

We plan on giving away a very nice door prize at the banquet worth about $100.00!!! Start out this great sailing season with two fun events on the same day!

Seeding

Ned Gatewood, John Joehnk, and Carl Hinrichs spent a couple of hours spreading rye seed on the embankments surrounding the new culvert. Hopefully this will slow down some of the erosion. One of the workday tasks will be cleaning the silt out of the culvert and perhaps adding some rock to help stabilize the soil. A check on Monday the 13^th showed that seeds had already begun to germinate.

Treasurer's Report

Thanks to those who got their dues in early the treasury is in good shape. Treasurer Tom Albright reports:

Jan 1, Balance $2,761.65

Receipts to Mar 1 3,205.75

$5,967.40

Disbursements to Mar 1 $1,285.46

Mar. 1 balance $4,681.94

New Tractor

While the above balance may seem rosy, the life expectancy of the Outhaul can be measured in weeks. It is no longer cost effective to repair it. It has served us well for over 20 years and deserves a quiet retirement. Therefore, the board has authorized the purchase of a more powerful replacement. John Joehnk has been investigating possible choices and a decision will be made soon.

Race Program with Beginner Appeal

Last year the fall series BVYC race program had renewed interest from club members as more than a dozen boats competed in the final two races. The race chairman is looking forward to continued popularity when the year 2000 race season kicks off in early May. In addition, some non-traditional races will be highlighted to add a bit of novelty for the seasoned veterans while lessening the stress on the members who are not accustomed to competition. Concurrent with the spring race series will be Kid's Week sponsored by BVYC and a special kid's race with members on June 17^th. We hope that members who have never raced will try a couple of the events scheduled for May and June. Most sailors agree that racing is a fun way to learn to sail better.

The phone registration for race entrants was successful last year and will be used again this season. This means that members who intend to race must either phone or e-mail the race chairman at least 3 days prior to the scheduled race. There must be at least 5 entries; otherwise the scheduled race will be cancelled. A short skipper's meeting will be held 45 minutes prior to each race.

Spring Series Schedule:

Sunday, May 7^th - Drag racing (This will be speed trials racing on a reach over a short course. No need to maneuver for starting position)

Wednesday, May 17^th- Around the buoys

Sunday, May 21st - Slalom Race (Similar to a drag race in and out of the buoys)

Sunday, May 28^th - Scott Liebler Memorial Long

Distance Race

Wednesday, June 7^th - Dock to Dock Race (Leave

BVYC and race to find further instructions at the dock near Big Dawg)

Saturday, June17^th - Kids at the helm (Members take a kid or two in a race around the buoys. The kids will have received training during Kid's Week at BVYC to be held June 11-16^th)

Tuttle Creek Lake Festival

Blue Valley Yacht Club will participate in the Tuttle Creek Lake Festival, June 11th, with events taking place at various locations on the lake. The central focus will be the river pond and the club will have a sail boat in the water and one on a trailer with attendants to give out applications and explain the club. We will also set a short course for a demo race near the dam where the rowing club will also be showing. Other events will include jet ski races below the tubes, Kayaking and canoe demos, craft fair, food venders, Triathlon, and fire works to name a few. The sail boat race, water skiing and shell demos should be visible from the dam. All club members are encouraged to participate in this worthwhile activity. There will be more information in the next newsletter.

Scout activities

We also have scheduled a Scout camp out on July 14,15 and 16. Where we will need boats to transport scouts over to the shell area on the 15th. Also, Henry Otto has scheduled a "KANSAS SEA BASE" outing Aug. 18, 19 and 20. A maximum of 50 boys 13 years and up will be trying to achieve a badge for various water sports, sail boarding, dinghy sailing, motor boating, rowing etc.

Participants are: Pawnee district of the Coronado council, B S A, Blue Valley Yacht Club, Sea Venture post 5074, chartered to Blue Valley Yacht Club; Kansas Canoe Association, Manhattan Chapter; Tuttle Creek Lake Association, Kansas State University Rowing Crew and Club, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. We have a fun filled and eventful summer planned and it is really exciting to see these boy scouts "doing their thing"

Environmental Rules Get Tougher

Two years ago we warned that EPA emission standards could affect sailors because outboard motor manufacturers were required to improve combustion in order to provide less air pollution. One method to improve combustion was to replace the 2-cycle engine with a cleaner 4-cycle outboard motor. There are now some manufacturers that produce a 4-stroke engine in the popular sailing class 5 horsepower outboard. Nissan now produces both the 4 stroke and 2 stroke engines, but the 2 stroke motor may soon be phased out as the year 2006 (higher EPA standards date) approaches. The 4 stroke costs about $150 more than the 2 stroke but should be more economical to operate. The downside for sailors is that the newer 4-stroke engine adds about 11 pounds to the transom.

So..what does a sailor in need of an outboard do? Two years ago we advised sailors to go for the 2-cycle engine because it would have a cheaper price and weigh 20 % less than the 4-cycle. However, there are several localities that are limiting use of 2-cycle engines well in advance of EPA deadlines and are not allowing any grandfathering exceptions. Lake Tahoe was one of the firsts to ban the 2 stroke; the latest Missouri Senate bill will ban all 2-cycle engines in 2005 and has no provision for grandfathering existing motors. A sailor's outboard should last 10-15 years, so, a purchase of a 4 stroke must be considered. (Imagine The Lake of the Ozarks with out Skee-Doos.!)

Speaking of pollution…..many places enforce the federal laws regarding oil spills. Under this law, you are required to report a fuel or oil spill, no matter how small, if it leaves a sheen on the water. All 2-cycle mix fuel will leave a sheen so mariners beware. Last July a sailor in Maryland was fined $200 for less than a 3-ounce spill.

Bob Mullen

Hearty Sailors

Bob Mullen, John Joehnk and Bart Bartholomew toasted the New Year with a brisk sail on January 1^st, claiming the distinction of having the first club sail of the Millennium. Any challengers to their claim?

For Sale:

BVYC tee shirts and club burgees are always available to members. $15.00 each. Call 539-4759 or see any club officer.

Solcat catamaran, 18' with jib, two trapeze, trailer - 539-4759

1974 Catalina 27. Atomic 4 inboard in very good shape. Heavy duty tandom axil trailer. Harken roller furler and almost new 150% genoa and 110% jib. New bimini

and new cushion covers. Two speed primary cockpit winches. AquaMeter compass. Much more.

Board Of Directors

Commodore: John Joehnk, 539-1449

rujo@interkan.net

Vice Commodore: Ned Gatewood, 539-8804

ngatewd@ksu.edu

Rear Commodore: Al Brightman, 537-2600

brightmn@vet.ksu.edu

Secretary: Carl Hinrichs, 539-5463

3014tum@ksu.edu

Treasurer: Tom Albright, 776-9545

mbtemple@interkan.net

Race Director: Bob Mullen, 539-4759

bobmullen@networksplus.net

Social Directors: T.J. and Renae Ciaffone

rkcandtj@flinthills.com

KSU Sailing Club Rep: Ken Hays, 539-2374

Kenph@interkan.net