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| Volume 2002 Issue 3 | June 2002 |
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Secretary’s
Message
Summer is here and everyone it seems is at the lake. It has been wonderful to see so many people at the Blue Valley Yacht Club sailing, sharing stories and meals over the campfire. There are some exciting events planned for the upcoming months, and we will do our best to keep you updated. Also please let me know if you have news, stories, or suggestions that you would like published in an upcoming newsletter. In addendum, if a member has not received his/her membership card or is in need of a replacement card, please notify me at tbk296@aol.com. Happy Sailing,
Commodore's Message Ken Hays, Commodore Upcoming Events July 4th: At 6 pm, there will be a picnic, and beverages and dinner will be provided. Please bring the whole family for hamburgers, hot dogs, and lots of fun. An evening sail will follow to enjoy the fireworks. Please make reservations no later than June 30 August 3-4 CSSA Junior Regatta at El Dorado Lake, open to 3rd
through 12th graders, without entry fee or requirement for CSSA
membership. Targeted to Optimist/JY Trainers, US Sabot, Capri 14.2, Lasers,
and lateen rigged board boats. High winds on Tuttle Creek Lake on June 2 led to a much reduced fleet with skippers either deciding not to race or suffering damage or capsize thus preventing their participation. In the third pair of races in the spring series, Bart Bartholomew finished first in both races in his Clipper 26. Dick Bailey in his O’Day Mariner finished second in the first race and did not finish the second. Sean Kalic and Henry Otto in the Ranger 26 finished third and second respectively. Ken Conrow, sailing a Minifish, did not finish in the first race. In the second consecutive week of high winds, the final race of the Blue Valley Yacht Club Spring Series was held. All skippers who planned to race completed the course in spite of the difficult conditions. Finishing first in his Clipper 26 with John Willis and Bob Cu-ceau as crew was Bart Bartholomew. Finishing second was Chris Ross in his Laguna 22 with Harriet Ottenheimer at the helm. Finishing third was Ken Conrow single-handing a Minifish. Fourth was Ken Hays in his Tanzer 7.5 crewed by his wife Shelley and her mother. Fifth was Henry Otto in his Ranger 26 crewed by Tom Ross and Harrison Otto. The Spring Series Results: First Place Bart Bartholomew The Spring Series was dedicated to the memories of Bennet, Chapman, and Shipley. A traveling trophy will be awarded at the Fall Banquet. In Other News CPR and First Aid: The BVYC is attempting to initiate a club safety program that will include all aspects of water safety. The initial phase of the program is to encourage members to obtain first aid and CPR training. At present the American Red Cross is offering two summer training sessions and several more later in the year. The two summer programs are: (1) July 9th and 11th, 5:30 – 9:45 PM (2) July 23rd and 25th, time to be announced The cost of each program is $50.00 per person and includes textbooks and certification. For more info call Bob Mullen (539-4759) or Jason at ARC (537-2180) BVYC Leash Rule: For many years the club published Standing Rules requiring dogs to be kept on leash at all times. Admittedly, an occasional dog running loose was overlooked; however, during the past few months the situation has become a major problem. Dog owners must realize that some people are uneasy or scared when dogs run loose. Others that enjoy animals have complained about the nuisance and the dog “droppings”. A couple of members have unhappily referred to our club as the BVYC Kennel Club. Accordingly, the BOD has agreed to enforce the leash rule. Signs are being made to remind members that dogs can not run loose and that the dog owner must pick up droppings. A box with “pick up bags” will be attached to the new signs. The BOD asks everyone’s cooperation on this matter. There must be no exceptions to the policy even when the dog owner is the only person on the BVYC grounds. Thank You to Jane Mullen: For Sale: O’Day Day Sailor, 17 ft w/ trailer.
In Defense of Mae West By Henry Otto Two water safety experts recently spoke to meetings I attended and spoke negatively of my old friend Mae West. Not the actress, who I never got a chance to go up and see, but the U.S. Coast Guard type II personal floatation device (P.F.D.) nicknamed in honour of her chest. Shane Koranda, aquatics director of Coronado Area Council of the Boy Scouts and Fred Rice of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary both suggested that because these “horse collar” life jackets are generally cheaper than the fashionable type III P.F.D.’s one should avoid them in favor of the more expensive P.F.D.’s especially in rough water. I disagree. A higher price and greater fashion do not necessarily make type III P.F.D.’s safer. However, if having paid a high price to look cool gets a P.F.D. on a boater when otherwise they would not wear any P.F.D. then I hope Ralph Lauren comes out with a designer line of P.F.D. vests with little polo ponies on the front. I like the Mae West P.F.D.’s for five reasons. First, when you go into the water they do not ride up around your arm pits lowering your head either into the water or nearly so like a vest type P.F.D. always does on me. Second, there is a good chance if you go into the water unconscious a type II will turn you face up. With all the floatation in the front of your body it tends to come to the top turning you face up and the collar holds your head out of the water. This is not guaranteed but your chances are must better than with a vest with its floatation equally spread around the body and no support for your head. Third, I think the Mae West is cooler. Not the Snoopy Joe Cool type cool, but the temperature type cool. The old horse collar leaves your entire back free to the breeze. Of course there when sailing in cold weather, I want the warmth of a vest, but not in Kansas in August. Fourth, I prefer the freedom of movement in a type II P.F.D. both in the water and out. If a vest is made with small arm holes so it will not ride up too high while in the water, out of the water they are very restrictive and uncomfortable. If made with large arm holes for freedom of movement out of the water they are almost guaranteed to ride up in water. I do not know about you but I find having my nose at or in the water restrictive and uncomfortable. The only ways to keep a vest from riding up in the water are to strap it on as tight as a girdle or use a crotch strap, neither of which are on my most comfortable list. With the Mae West, no arm holes, no problem. Fifth, the collar of the horse collar protects the back of my neck from sunburn. Canoeing, rowing, motor boating and sailing a large boat I’ll take a Mae West any warm day. However, I do not wear a type II P.F.D. while dinghy sailing. The boom of a Sunfish, a Laser, or other small boat has a very bad tendency to catch on the horse collar as I fail to duck far and fast enough during those unplanned tacks and jibes I am prone to while sailing those boats in heavy weather. I know my chances of turning up right in the water after the boom has knocked me unconscious and swept me over board are better with a type II but I prefer to do my best to avoid ending up in the water. I will pick my P.F.D. based on the boat and conditions not style and price. Now if I can just find a type II P.F.D. with a cute little polo pony on the front.
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