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Around the World of Sailing

7 August  2002

Finish Line

On his 5th try, Harry Melges helms US 409 to the Melges 24
world title and handily winning by 28 points. Earlier this
summer Melges won the C Scow nationals, which were sailed on
Muskegon Lake.

Water Level Update

Reference Point

Difference from Chart Datum +13
Difference from last month 0
Difference from last year +12
Difference from long term average for August -10
Difference from Record High -41
Difference from Record Low +23
Forecast for 2 September 2002 0

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

Rowing Reporter

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.
****************
Around Alone Update

The entry list for the 6th sailing of Around Alone has been
finalized. There are a total of 14 entries, evenly divided
into two classes. Although not a large fleet it maybe the
most competitive ever in Around Alone. All entries are Open
type monohulls. Most if not all have winning potential.

Class I is truly international. The 7 sevens sailors hail
from 7 different countries. Class II is more North American
with 3 Canadian, 2 American and a Bermudan entry.

Another way in which this Around Alone is diverse is in the
realm of designers. Boats from 10 different designers are
entered. Finot has have 4 entries with two in each class.
No other architect has more than one entry. Of interest is
Hexagon from Ownen/Clarke designers of Kingfisher, BTC
Velocity by Scott Jutson who designed the 1994 Class II
winner and entries by American designers Jim Antrim and Tom
Wylie.

There are American flagged entries in both classes. For two
of the entries the story is similar with the race just over
a month away. From Newport Class I entrant Bruce Schwab
says, "We need about $95k in the next few weeks." Tim Kent
has Everest Horizontal in mid Atlantic on his qualifying
voyage and reports, "Also, we are in DESPERATE need of
cash." The third American entrant Brad Van Liew is in
better shape having secured sponsorship from Tommy Hilfiger.
Van Liew is a definite favorite in Class II. Should he win
Class II he would be only the 2nd American to do so first
being the late Mike Plant in 1986-87.

The latest news is that just a day into his delivery sail to
Newport Graham Dalton's Open 60 Hexagon dismasted. The
incident occurred on August 1st.

The mast broke 1/3rd of the way up it's 95-foot length in
force 5 conditions. While still at sea heading to France to
affect repairs Dalton stated: "I'll be there on the starting
line for the race."

This is similar to an incident that occurred in 1998 when
Group 4 was damaged while awaiting the race in Charleston.
For even a well funded campaign like Dalton's such an
incident this close to the start can throw off the rhythm
for the entire race.

Beginning in 2 weeks ATWOS will profile the skippers and
boats that will attempt the longest race on earth for an
individual.
******************
Regional Art- Marine Focus

Currently showing at the Muskegon Museum of Art is the 74th
regional exhibition. There are 117 pieces from 101 artists.
Artists reside in either the 616 or 231 area codes.

Six of these including one of the award winners have maritime
subjects. Rustic Ruins by James Churchill won the Curators
Choice Award. This is a photo of the old jetties at
Muskegon's Pere Marquette Beach. These were built to try
and reduce beach erosion, and are essentially ruins at this
point.

Out of the Fog is a painting that features a red bell buoy
and a commercial fishing boat. Jack Brower of Grand Rapids
is the artist.

Safe Harbor II by Donna Taylor is a watercolor of a docked
cruising boat. To my eye, the boat could have been a Cape
Dory.

Jason Tjapkes of Muskegon produced a photo of a Muskegon
Lake landmark the Sappi Paper Mill. The photo was taken
from the north side of the lake through a port hole giving the
photo an extra nautical look.

Harbor by Michelle Morrow of Alto is a gelatin print
photo. It is of a steamer/freighter right next to a high
dock. On the ships bows are 2 anchors.

One of the pieces was more of an exception than others which
were visual art of one form or another. The Magic of Fire
by T.L. Pfliger of Bridgemean is a three dimensional mixed
media collage. It tells the story of the steamer Muskegon
which burned in Benton Harbor in the 1920's.

There need not be a reason to visit a museum. However,
hopefully the above info whets the art appetite for those
who have interest in the watery world.

For museum location, hours etc. see
http://www.muskegonartmuseum.org
*****************
Info Bits

Deadly Boating Season in Ohio
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/news/1028712655211430.xml

Local Notice to Mariners-
Dredging and Scientific Buoys off Muskegon
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d9/lnm0922.pdf

Preserve an abandoned light
http://www.waugoshance.org/

Association for Great Lakes Maritime History Meeting
September 12-14 South Haven MI
http://www.aglmh.org/annual.html

Maxi Cat Orange New Record Attempts
http://www.orange.co.uk/sailing
******
Rowing Reporter Interactive- Bringing people together,
passing messages and answering questions. The Rowing
reporter seeks comments, questions and suggestions.
Send email to ike@torresen.com.