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Around the World of Sailing
2 May 2001
This weeks features:
Finish Line
Finish Line
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/my/0502/frw.htm
Giovanni Soldini, who will debut his new Fila Open 60
trimaran, made this comment in an interview with Sailing World,
"They agree with my philosophy-we both think that the sport of
sailing is a good life. It's not just about winning; it's
mostly about sailing and being good and feeling good. When you
feel good, normally you win."
See http://www.sailingworld.com/gps/ for complete interview.
Water Level Update
Weekly Water Level Update
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/my/0502/frw.htm
Here is an informative feature that used to appear in the
Friday edition of Sailing Daily. Below you'll find water
level info that pertains to Lake Michigan and Huron.
For information on other lakes see:
http://huron.lre.usace.army.mil/levels/weekly.html
Reference Point Inches below Chart Datum - 4
Difference From 27 March 2001 + 5
Difference from 27 April 2000 -2
Difference from long-term Avg. -21
Difference from Record High -52
Difference from Record Low +12
Forecast for 27 May 2001 +2
Rowing Reporter
Rowing Reporter
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/my/0502/frw.htm
The Rowing Reporter is a weekly column of commentary
and observations by Ike Stephenson, Marine Informationist. It
concentrates on the home waters of Around the World of Sailing,
Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake.
*****************
Book Review: Wake of the Green Storm
Experienced Minnesota Author Marlin Bree has produced
another interesting book of tales from his voyages on Lake
Superior. He was written several books based on his sailing
experiences on board his home build wooden boat Persistence.
Early in the book Bree describes how he converted his
companionway to an enclosed navigation and watch standing area
via a dodger. He has his GPS, charts and other needs at hand.
He soon needs this as he is caught in a freak storm.
Since the sky turns green, it later became known as the Green
Storm.
During the rest of the book describes the experiences
of other boaters in the Green Storm. He cruises to out of the
way places on Superior's north shore such as CPR Slip. He dips
back and writes of voyagers paddling in pipes and yachts of
gilded age millionaires sinking (See http://www.gunilda.com/).
Those are the strengths of the book. The one main
disappointment is a lack of explanation about the Green Storm.
Bree adds a bit of information at the end of the book. However,
we aren't given much detailed information about how it formed,
what it's barometric pressure was etc. A more detailed
explanation would have made an enjoyable book an even better
read.
"Wake of the Green Storm" is available from the TMI
Bookstore at: http://www.torresen.com/bookstore/cruising.htm
***************
Readers Write: This week: two emails about coming summer events.
One asks, "Do you have a complete list yet of the tall ships
that are coming to Muskegon in August?" The Tall Ships visit
to Muskegon will be a huge event with people numbering in the
100's of thousands and ships in the double digits. Finalizing
details is no mean task. Although the list of ships is not yet
complete, the most recent update can be seen at
http://www.sailmuskegon.com/ships/. Here you will find
information and pictures about ships scheduled to dock at
Heritage Landing later this summer.
Another reader writes, "Also, a little while ago you
published new race starting signals effective this year. I
copied your sequence explanation and I'm having great difficulty
in understanding how much simpler it is. Could you explain
again." Obviously a racer having some difficulty with the new
rules. To date the rules are only in electronic form. They
can be found at: http://www.sailing.org/rrs2001.
The essence of the new starting sequence is as follows.
Each class has it's own flag such as at the NOODS, and other
multi class events. That flag along with a sound signal means
5 minutes for your class. You then have the 4-minute sound
along with the prepatory flag likely the P flag. At 1 minute
the prepatory flag comes down along with a sound signal. At
0 minutes the class flag is removed and a sound signal is made.
That's your start.
As with anything, change is rarely met with immediate
appreciation or acceptance. After sailing under this system it
should gain acceptance.
********************
Rowing Reporter Interactive- The Rowing reporter seeks
comments, questions and suggestions. Send email in a bottle to
ike@torresen.com. If readers write we can start a dialogue about
rowing reporter writing. Send challenges, remarks, queries and they
will make you a part of this column.
*****************
Studies and Observations
Thursday the 26th: In the afternoon a streaking wind
surfer was seen on Muskegon Lake. These high speed guys
usually stick to Lake Michigan. This day they got small waves
and SSW winds 23-25 knots and air temps in the 50's.
Friday the 27th: Word that Holland to the south of
Muskegon had its 1st commercial ship. The captain was awarded
wooden shoes! Here in Muskegon 14 ships had already called.
Friday the 27th: From the press release news and notes
at the Congressional Cup: 58° into which crews dove. The only
water near 50° on the Great Lakes is on Lake Erie near Toledo.
Water in the southern 2/3rds of Lake Michigan is under 40°.
******************
Tortugas
Florida's governor has created the largest no-fishing
zone in the United States. Part of a marine preservation plan
the Tortugas Ecological Reserve is 70 miles west of Key West.
The purpose of this action is "to protect the lush coral
reefs and productive spawning grounds of the Dry Tortugas."
Low fish stocks and high pollution levels make such actions
necessary.
Regulations for the area include a prohibition against
vessels over 100 feet anchoring, no discharge or deposit except
for cooling water, and no snorkeling or diving in one part of
the area.
This story serves as a reminder that nothing, including
fish in the ocean, lasts forever. Clean, and plentiful waters
are important to all who sail.