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Around the World of Sailing
14 March 2001
This weeks Short Tacks:
Short Tack: Summer Studies by Ron Dwelle
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/0314/0314_st.htm
Ron Dwelle, who homeports his sailboat out of Muskegon, has
recently published 'Summer Studies' a book that distills knowledge and
experiences from his 20 years of cruising on the Great Lakes. Dwelle
especially concentrates on Lake Michigan and the North Channel.
There are several aspects of this book worth noting. Dwelle
begins with a look at the colorful maritime and waterfront history of
Muskegon. Seems as though Muskegon never has been 'G' rated.
He covers many northern Lake Michigan ports including
Ludington, Pentwater and Traverse City. As with many sections of the
book he has strong opinions both negative and positive in these
sections.
Much of the book is about his experiences in the North Channel
off Lake Huron's east shore. This is a pristine and sometimes
challenging cruising ground. Dwelle's passion of the North Channel
is evident as he writes of it.
'Summer Studies' is a readable, opinionated look at Great
Lakes cruising. I've read hundreds of books on sailing and have not
found another with a similar point of view. If you are interested in
Great Lakes cruising or enjoy uniquely written books pick up 'Summer
Studies'
The Torresen Marine Ships store has copies of 'Summer Studies'
in stock. Why not pick one up while attending our Spring Thaw open
house from 9 to 4 this Saturday?
Short Tack: The Blackbirder by James L. Nelson
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/0314/0314_st.htm
This is Maine author James L. Nelson's 7th book. It is the
second in his series on colonial era nautical affairs, 'The Brethren
of the Coast'.
Nelson provides two main story lines both of which are filled
with moral and other questions. In one story line, reformed pirate
Thomas Marlowe must pursue a ship crewed by African Americans
including a former employee of his King James. Marlowe had previously
freed his slaves and paid them as hourly laborers. While sailing the
Chesapeake Bay King James stabs the captain of a slave ship. Given
the climate of the times he knows he must flee.
Marlowe's wife Elizabeth is left in Virginia. The locals are
none too fond of her and the free African Americans her husband
employs. Eventually she must travel to Boston in search of damaging
information against the leader of the Virginia forces who oppose her
and her husband.
Much of the action is not in the nautical realm, but rather in
the moral minds of the characters. The book drives home that even
this far removed slavery was a horrible venture, corrosive to all
aspects of society.
The Blackbirder is a challenging read. It brings up issues
not typically seen in your 'age of sail' fiction.
It is available from the TMI bookstore online at: http://bsd.torresen.win.net/bookstore/james_nelson.asp
Short Tack: New Starting System
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/0314/0314_st.htm
As the 2001 racing season looms on the horizon sailors should
be aware that this is a year when rules changes occur. Primary among
them will be a new system for starting races. The rules changes and
the new starting system take affect 1 April in time for the 2001 Great
Lakes season.
Here are the basics of the new system:
Signal Flag and Sound Minutes before starting signal
Warning Class flag, 1 sound 5 or as stated in sailing instructions
Preparatory P,I,Z,Z with I or black flag + 1 sound 4 minutes
One-Minute Preparatory flags removed, 1 long sound 1 minute
Starting Class Flag removed, 1 sound 0 Minutes
According to race officer Eric Lind there are some advantages of
this system. One, the number of flags needed to execute a starting
sequence is reduced to two (three if I and Z are used simultaneously)
thus lessening the change of confusion. Don't worry too much about
the preparatory flags 99.9% will see the P flag. The P flag is blue
with a white square in the middle. Every action is accompanied by a
sound signal. Without having to postpone with the AP flag, the RC can
take as much time between fleets to adjust the line, reset the course,
or for any other reason.
Since this starting system will literally be the first thing
Great Lakes sailors see this season, a little study time will help
greatly in preparation.