Around the World of Sailing

6 February 2002

This weeks features:

Finish Line

Recently the International Olympic Committee decided to deny
Power Boating status as a sport on the official Olympic
Programme. It remains a level below at Recognized Sport
Status.

Water Level Update

Weekly Water Level Update
Available on line at:
http://www.torresen.com/atwos/2001/oc/1024/frw.htm

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

Difference from Chart Datum -2
Difference from last month -2
Difference from last year +8
Difference from long term average for February -15
Difference from Record High -48
Difference from Record Low +15
Forecast for 1 March 2002 -1

Note: In January Lake Michigan/Huron received only
56% of normal monthly precipitation.

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.
****************

Readers Write
	In response to the 23 January piece on boatminiums
Duane Sigfeid wrote, "Interesting that you mention
"boatminimum".  While in Washington, D.C. I noticed that
there are quite a few of them in the Potomac River.  They
are being built on barge-like hulls with shingled roofs,
vinyl siding, elevated wood decks, and as you suggested,
they are towed when under "sail".  For this area with its'
high demand for living space it seems like a interesting
alternative."
	It's true that alternative types of housing are
becoming increasingly in demand.  Terms like sprawl etc.
are bandied about.  I have not seen the boatminium type
described above in any of the proposed solutions.
	I will admit that the boatminium I described was
not conceived as a primary dwelling.  Rather a disposable
income type summer cottage transported to the water.
	However, perhaps the concept is more generally
applicable than I thought.
	Don Chambers wanted to do some reading of our
January theme articles on Roller Furling.  However, he
couldn't find them.
	The place to start is at
http://www.torresen.com/news/atwos/.
This then lists archived ATWOS issues by year.
	You can also use our site wide search box which
can be found on our home page.  When I searched for Roller
Furler the 2nd ranked result was to the roller furling series.
	A reader asked, "Can you tell me please the dates
and location for the WMYA regatta 2002?"  The answer is
August 7-8 @ Cadillac MI.  More events at
http://www.torresen.com/calendar/c1.htm
	Reader Ken Tokarz is heading to the British Virgin
Islands in March.  He wants some useful info bits on sites
and expectations.
	I suggest you visit our Intersail Directory.  We
have a category devoted to Chartering.  This will help you
answer your questions. Intersail is located at:
http://www.torresen.com/intersail/.
Finally a reader wrote, he'd like to see information
on "how to interface electronics, laptop GPS navigation etc."
When navigators are writing, "I remember now why I had a track
ball on the computer last time.  The touch pad doesn't work
with gloves on." this would appear to be a good topic.
	So, I replied "The topic you suggest the interfacing
of various electronic devices is a good one.  It is not on
our schedule for 2002, but I will plan to look into it.
       I myself tend to be more of a paper chart and handheld
GPS navigator myself.  There is no question thought that
electronics are constantly infiltrating on the water time
and should be addressed.  Check our site to see if it appears.
************************
Southern Ocean conjures Shackleton
	As the Volvo Ocean Race fleet has sped across the
Southern Ocean, sailor's minds have gone to Ernest Shackleton.
Leader of a failed yet ultimately triumphant Antarctic expedition
Shackleton is now well known.
	Paul Cayard wrote that in preparing, "he should have
read Shackleton's book instead of Clouds (Roger Badham the
team meteorologist." News Corps. Nick White had the same
person in mind, " Not that I'm saying we endure anything
like Shackleton for example (if you ever get the chance, see
the Imax film and read the book)."  Amer Sports II skipper Lisa
Mcdonald continues the fixation, "Strangely enough I've had
Shackleton on my mind today and his great expeditions through
the ice."
	In preparing for his first around the world ride on a
big cat Cam Lewis turned to early 20th century explorers for
advice.  Lewis said, "I learned about leadership from
Shackleton, the ultimate man of action, ;food and organization
from Amundsen, the ultimate organizational man; the harnessing
of high technology from Byrd; and purity of heart and purpose
from Scott."  He took Shackelton's book South with him on
Commodore Explorer.
	It's clear then that many modern day sailors hold
these heroic explorers in high regard.  They all wrote books
and have been the subjects of many more.  Following are some
suggestions for reading to be done to gain insight from
these travelers.
	We'll start with Robert Byrd.  Unlike the others
he did a lot of flying rather than sledding.  Therefore
Lewis' admiration for his use of technology.
To the Pole: The Diary and Notebook of Richard E. Byrd, 1925-1927
covers Byrd's flight to the North Pole in spring 1926.
Little America: Aerial Exploration In The Antarctic The
Flight To The South Pole covers Byrd's aerial exploration of
the South Pole.  Skyward covers other aspects of Byrd's career
such as his transatlantic flights.  Alone was written by Byrd
and is his account of 6 months of solo living in Antarctica
that almost ended in death.  An excellent on line summary
of Byrd's life is at http://www.south-pole.com/p0000107.htm
	Next week in Part 2 of this article we'll cover
books available on the other 3 travelers.