February 27, 2004
Water Level Update
Below you'll find water level info that pertains to Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Reference Point- Measurements in Inches
Difference from Chart Datum -7
Difference from last month 0
Difference from last year +4
Difference from long term average for February -19
Difference from Record High -50
Difference from Record Low +10
Forecast for 27 March 2004 +2
Click for information on other lakes.
Linky Sailing News
Racing Cheyenne 564 miles . 495 for Geronimo with Orange II also out & fast. From the Calendar: SORC, Star South Americans. DN NA's
News Survivor Dog. Stay warm. AED @ SORC. Kevin Hall
Great Lakes This weekend Chicago Maritime Festival . Education
February 26, 2004
Orange II Photos
The Orange II crew has set out once again. Here's some last minute at the dock shots by Gilles Martin-Raget
I'll be back in less than 64 days 8 hours or else
Permission to come aboard
Linky Sailing News
Racing 445 for Cheyenne. Geronimo restarts, then Orange II 9 hours later. New tri crew. From the Calendar: Star South Americans, SORC
News Transat entries. Tri down under. TNZL update. Sea Smoke
Great Lakes Coast Guard activities. Muskegon ferry groundbreaking.
Orange II Makes tracks after starting for the 2nd time.
Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget
February 25, 2004
Book Scout Look Out: Keepers Son
This recently publishes novel introduced me to the author Homer Hickam. I did not purchase the book, but rather borrowed it from my local public library.
The Keepers Son is about lighthouses and keepers but not entirely, or even mostly. The main character Josh Thurlow is indeed son of the lighthouse keeper of Killakeet Island. Hickam sets the islands in North Carolina's outer banks.
In this book Thurlow is the captain of a Coast Guard patrol boat. Thurlow and his crew of islanders go onto fight German U boats. This part of the plot is based on actual incidents in World War II which Hickam wrote about in another book, Torpedo Junction.
Other elements include: lover interests for both Josh and a German U boat captain, battle scenes, scenes set in North Carolina, France and Germany.
Hickam's prose is at the same quality level regardless of what he is writing about. There aren't any weak points. The range of watery subjects covered includes: sailing, fishing, crabbing, and surface and submarine warfare. There is also excellent writing on horses.
To the sailor one of the most interesting parts of the book is the flashback that opens the book. Left alone by his keeper father, Josh takes his little brother to sea. Their purpose is to salvage a 'moth boat' adrift. The Moth boat is a single sailed, square bowed, scow like one design. Whilst at sea Josh loses his little brother. Unlike other wrecks the currents don't bring any sign of boat nor person to the Island. This incident affects Josh in many ways as he goes forward.
This book is the 1st of a planned trilogy so not all the plot lines are wrapped up. Will Josh follow on as keeper? Does he marry Dosie? How does he spend the rest of World War II? Maybe he takes up racing Moth boats?
Having read the first of 3 parts, I look forward to Hickam's answer to these questions in the coming books.
Safety Series: Signalling
From the KISSWEP survival list we pull signaling methods. For the mariner there are several including flares, navigation lights and flashlights. This article will take a look at a lower cost, lower tech alternative.
The signal mirror will likely be used only in a relatively extreme situation like being stranded mid lake without gas. None the less it's effective and experts consider it the best all around signaling device.
While signal mirrors are not always required on boats, some categories of the Offshore Special regulations do require them. Our online ships store offers a signaling mirror for only $ 7.50 .
You can count on a signal mirror being visible for 10 miles, and as much as 50 miles depending on atmospheric conditions. Use of the mirror is simple, basically lining up with the target and then moving the mirror to produce the signal.
For a less than $ 10 investment you can add a mirror to your kit and be ensured you'll be able to signal help should the need arise.
Jules Verne Update
The high speed, high stakes chaos that is Jules Verne record attempts has been all change the past week. Two boats have returned to France to repair and soon-restart while the other has passed the Cape of Good Hope in record time.
Geronimo arrived in Brest France last Friday. While in port Geronimo's 3 gennakers were repaired as time dictated news ones could not be built. Geronimo plans to restart tommorrow.
Orange II made it a mere day into her attempt before turning around with damage to her bow crash boxes. Albeit the day saw her sail 580 miles! The newest of the maxi cats arrived in Lorient France on Sunday with repairs completed yesterday. Bruno Peyron plans to leave for a Thursday start with the same crew.
While the French boats restart, American Steve Fossett and crew have reached the Cape of Good Hope off South Africa 25 hours ahead of record pace. From the equator to Good Hope they needed 227 hours which is the fastest time between these two points.
Cheyenne's trip to Good Hope was not without drama. Early Monday Cheyenne developed a major forestay problem. At that time Steve Fossett said: "Hope is slim." What happened is that Cheyenne's 1.5 inch diameter forestay disconnected from it's end terminal.
Cheyenne uses Navtec's Norseman rigging terminal which do not require swaging. The manufacturer claims, "They can be installed quickly and easily at sea, making them ideal for emergency repairs." Cheyenne's crew led by Jacques Vincent managed the repair in 16 hours still managing 446 miles in the 24 hours, most of it sans forestay.
Cheyenne has just had her 3 500+ mile day in 4 days. The crew now aims to get to nearly 50 degrees south latitude and according to their weather router, "should really bomb eastwards for the next 3 days at least."
The save by the Cheyenne crew and their current pace means that the two French boats will not have a margin for error upon restarting. There's still only been 4 successful attempts. Therefore the odds that all three will be record setters is slim. Maybe one will make enough order out of chaos to become the 5 JV record holder.
Linky Sailing News
Racing Cheyenne reaches Good Hope 25 hours ahead, sets Equator-Good Hope Record with repaired foresaty. Geronimo back at it. Orange II will go again.
News Different Pindar skipper. Colling system tips
Great Lakes Shipper bankrupt. Wisconsin design. Wreck found.
February 24, 2004
College Sailing Report
Weekend Winners: Charleston at their Spring Intersectional.
Team of the Week: Georgetown with a wide variety of early season successes.
Sailors of the Week Andrew Campbell, Georgetown
This weekend: Eckerd defends Old South @ Florida, Team Racing @ Charleston
Linky Sailing News
Racing Fossett is fixed. Geronimo ready. Ainslie's 3rd gold cup. J24 MW. From the Calendar: Star South Americans. 49er winner.
News Lost & Found. 1st around. Cook v. The Racers. Bacardi Cup.
Great Lakes PDA's and invasisves. Great Lakes Models
February 23, 2004
Former Olympic Classes
Several weeks ago we looked at current Olympic classes. This article looks at boats that used to be raced in the Olympics.
2000, was the last Olympics for the Soling. This 3 person keel boat was the only class that had it's medals decided in a match racing format. Dane Jesper Bank was the final gold medal skipper.
In 1992 the 2 person Flying Dutchman made it's final Olympic appearance. The crew used a trapeze for stability and the boat made it's Olympic debut in 1960.
Going back to 1976 the Tempest made the 2nd of it's 2 Olympic appearances. Both years the USA was the Bronze medallist. In 1976 Dennis Conner won his Olympic medal as USA Tempest Skipper. The Tempest is a keel boat that also puts the crew on a trapeze and is 22 feet long.
Designed in 1929, the Dragon was an Olympic boat from 1948 to 1972. The Dragon is a classic with long overhangs, a full keel with rudder and many wooden boats still sailing.
Finally there was the 5.5 meter which was an Olympic Class from 1952 to 1968. Sweden won 2 golds, a silver and a bronze while the USA was next best with 2 golds and a bronze. Like the Dragon, the 5.5 was a classic looking boat with a length of 32 feet.
Next month our series of theme articles will be on commissioning your boat for the 2004 sailing season.
Morse Code Modernizes
Although Morse Code is no longer used to signal SOS by ships at sea it is being improved for the cyber age. A new character has been added. It is the @ symbol, frequently used in email addresses. It will be called the commat and will combine the code for A &C.
.... . / . -. -.. .-.-.- / ..-. ..- .-.. .-.. / ... - --- .--. .-.-.-
Linky Sailing News
Racing Forestay problems for Cheynne . Geronimo arrives in France as does Orange II. US Trials winners: Galliard, Hall, Wadlow/Spaulding, Lovell/Ogletree & Cronin/Filter & Haberland . VDH crosses the line. Ainslie wins 3rd consecutive Gold Cup
News Pacific Cup Entries. DN NA's
Great Lakes Michigan over Cali Ontario patrols. Milwaukee Rivers. Invasives treaty
Orange II's technical problem
February 20, 2004
Linky Sailing News
Racing Trials: Different winner in Europe's, Hall leads Finns by 11, Team WS leads 49ers, Tornado stays the same, new Yngling leader is Team Atkins. Ainslie leads Finn Gold Cup. 447 for Fossett et al. Orange out for now
News Carribbean entries. AC training. Award winners.
Great Lakes Ship repair. PJ's is back.
Water Level Update
Below you'll find water level info that pertains to Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Reference Point- Measurements in Inches
Difference from Chart Datum -8
Difference from last month -1
Difference from last year +3
Difference from long term average for February -20
Difference from Record High -50
Difference from Record Low +9
Forecast for 20 March 2004 +1
Click for information on other lakes.
February 19, 2004
Linky Sailing News
Racing Orange turns back. Cheyenne edges ahead of record. RTW reading. Comparative progressFinn Gold Cup. Chart change for VDH
News Ecover sailing academy. American 50 qualifies to sail The Transat. Sailing production down
Great Lakes Sales up.
February 18, 2004
Playful Safety
One of the lists I have used as a back story to this safety series deals with survival situations. One of the items is play games. Huh, in a life or death situation you want to play tiddly winks? Seems counter intuitive.
Recently I've begun reading Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales. The book attempts to explain why some people survive situations and some don't.
Early in the book Gonzales says that only 10 to 20 percent of people can stay calm enough in an emergency/survival situation. There's incentive enough to plan ahead and try to avoid finding out that you might be in the 80 to 90 percent group.
Where does the game playing come in? Quoted in the book is a psychologist who says that "surivors laught at threats. Playing keeps the person in contact with what is happening."
Later he talks about fighter pilots making off color jokes while eating a pre flight meal. More humor in a tense situation.
So, stay light hearted to stay safe.
Olympic Sailing Rankings
Our look at Olympic Sailing continues with a look at top contenders. This week we'll analyze 6 of the 11 classes and also look at strong countries and the USA's standing. This weeks classes are: 470 men and women, 49er, Finn, Europe and Laser.
Australia and Great Britain both have two top ranking in this seletion. Australia has the top 470 mens team and top Laser sailor. Great Britain tops the Finn and 49er lists.
France is strong in the 470's with the top ranked women's team and 2nd ranke men's team.
Norway also shows twice with the regining ISAF women's sailor of the year tops in Europe dinghies and the 3rd ranked 49er team.
In these classes the USA's best ranked team is in the 49er class. The Wadlow and Spaulding team is currently leading the USA's 49er trials. Another trials leader, Meg Galliard, is ranked 12th. Of this week's classes the US ranks lowest in the Finn 28th. The US trials for the Finn class are underway as is the Finn Gold Cup in Brazil.
As was the case in 2000, Great Britain has a strong group of sailors. Other European nations such as France and Norway appear to have good medal chances too. And the US once again seems to be lagging a bit at least as far as the rankings go. At this point the US would seem to have its best chances in the 470 mens and 49er classes.
Jules Verne Update
11 days after starting Cheyenne has sailed 4330 miles, an average of 392 miles per day. Recently Cheyenne has 5 consecuctive 400 + mile days. Currently Cheyenne trails record holder Orange while sailing off the coast of Brazil.
This weekend Cheyenne crossed the equator. Her time was 8 days 6 hours. This was 8 hour slower than Orange during her record voyage. It was over 2 days slower than the scalding passage of Geronimo last year. Steve Fossett and crew knew the track to the equator wasn't ideal, so were satisfied with a represenative time. For most the voyage Cheyenne seems not to have had the best of conditions. Yet she still is close to Orange's pace, any better conditions and she may soon go ahead of record pace. If Cheyenne stays close to the record pace she should be at or near Cape of Good Hope on February 25th. According to Bruno Peyron, "he [Cheyene/Fossett] should logically be able to earn a 48-hour advantage in the two coming weeks."
Once again the American catamaran has a French competitor. The trimaran Geronimo had started shortly after Cheyenne, but has abandonded her attempt due to sail damage.
Just this morning Bruno Peyron's Orange II has begun an attempt. Peyron and many of his crew were onboard Orange when the current mark was set. Orange II's official start time was 0741 GMT. Peyron and crew must return by 22 April to break the current record.
A pre start wave from Peyron
Peyron's boat is brand new with an experienced crew. Peyron has twice held the Jules Verne trophy and is an acknowledged maxi cat master. Reports indicate that Peyron may have the most favorable initial weather pattern of this year's 3 attempts. All in all smells like a winning combination!
Linky Sailing News
Racing Orange II departs. 336 miles for Fossett. US Olympic trials: Europe,Finn, 49er, Tornado, Ynglings a 1 point deal. Solo trials report
News Night Sailing. Racing v. records. Another heart attack on the course.
Great Lakes Icebreaking. Grand Rapids Boat Show. Water withdrawals
Orange II at the start of her Jules Verne Attempt
Phot by Giles Martin Raget
February 17, 2004
Racing v. Record Breaking
Recent sailing news has been filled with records and attempts. ATWOS has chosen to cover many of these attempts. Could there be record breaking fatigue setting in? Recently Magnus Wheatley wrote in Sailing Scuttlebutt, "It seems that every Tom, Dick, and Bruno have conned a sponsorship deal on some 'man against the elements' ticket to go and 'race' against a stopwatch."
Recenly Joyon set a record, Van Den Heede looks like he will, Fossett is in progress, Geronimo has turned back around while Orange II will soon be off.
Curiously none of the three Ollier cats built for the Race (Team Adventure, Club Med/Maiden, Orange/Kingfisher) has been able to con any dollars.
Wheatley also says, "For heaven's sake turn the stopwatch off, get together and
have a race. If records fall then great, otherwise at least the whining
stops about weather systems (the ultimate get-out) and there's an element
of racing involved."
Weather systems aren't a get out/cop out, they are a reality. The faster a record is sailed the better the weather the next boat needs to break it. Chosing the right weather system and then doing so around the world isn't a simple thing. It's a big ask, see Geronimo's failed Jules Verne attempt of last year. The French tri went from 2 days ahead at Cape Horn to 4 days short of the record at the finish. Less than ideal weather in the Atlantic hindered her. Weather systems matter and can be interesting.
For another perspective on records v. racing there is Ellen Macarthur. This successful offshore racer recently launched a trimaran intended soley for record breaking.
Macarthur said, "On a record attempt you are also feel a much greater sense of isolation. In a race there are other boats accompanying you. On a solo round the world voyage for example down in the Southern Ocean you are really on your own. You are also on your own tactically." Her point is that during a record attempt you are self reliant. There's nobody to cover or glean strategy and tactics from. Something to be said for that.
She also says, "All you can do is sail the boat at its best potential all the time and get the weather as best you can at the beginning. That's all you can do. It's about mental strength and hanging on in there."
I think Weatley's criticisms are over the top. Commerical sailing is a struggling venture. If $ are found for records, then they need to be taken. Picking and chosing sponsorship dollars aren't an option.
Less than 10 years ago boats such as Cheyenne etc. didn't exisit. These giant multi hulls have shattered records of all sorts. It would seem that we are in a golden type age. Someday we'll look at these boats and their achievments and look at them as the good old days. Sometimes the good old days are right now! Why not take positive advantage of these achievments?
Neither winning an around the world race, nor setting an around the world record is easy. If they were, more would do it. Some like records, some like races. This goes for both competitors and spectators. You always have the choice to ignore Cheyenne's record attempts and wait for the Vendee Globe or Volvo Ocean race.
I think Wheatley overstates his case. If sailors such as Peyron, Macarthur etc. chose to do records, I'll take them over Mr. Wheatly.
From a profressional point of view there's nothing better for providing steady online content than any type of around the world sailing. Much easier to work with an event 60 days or longer than a 2 to 5 day regata. Other sports have month long seasons where you can grab and hold interest. Round the world events help sailing do a bit of this.
Linky Sailing News
Racing Cheyenne: fast and bumpy. Orange is coming. Olympic Trials: Galliard leads Europe & Finn's have big gap. 49er is close as is Tornado. Yngling's shuffled a bit. Finn Gold Cup. Orange is off.
Great Lakes Don't feed the gulls! Sewage diversion. Ice rescue
February 16, 2004
Grand Rapids Boat Show
Beginning Wednesday Torresen Marine will be at the Grand Rapids Boat Show. The show will be held at the new DeVos Center. Look for us in Booth 710.
We'll have several new sailboats on display including a Precision 23
Show hours are as follows:
Wednesday, February 18 3pm - 9:30pm
Thursday, February 19 3pm - 9:30pm
Friday, February 20 11am - 9:30pm
Saturday, February 21 10am - 9pm
Sunday, February 22 11am - 6pm
Boatsmart Special
Note: This is a Boat Smart winter special regarding unstable ice and snowmobiles.
Miraculous snowmobile ice rescue sends strong warning-stay off unstable ice
By Senior Chief Tom Rau, Coast Guard Group Grand Haven, Mi.
What are the odds of surviving for two hours after plunging through ice on a snowmobile late at night into 30-degree water with 40-knot arctic winds casting a 50-minus wind chill across an ice glazed Green Bay?
It’s a long shot not even Vegas would touch, yet a couple did beat insurmountable odds, thanks, in part, to a paramedic's local knowledge of Green Bay , the survivor’s fierce will to live, and the gutsy efforts of a Eagle III, helicopter crew at County Rescue Services, Green Bay.
Now the story.
Green Bay, Wednesday, January 21, 2004. The Brown County Joint Dispatch Center received a cell-phone call from a male at 9:49 p.m.. “My girlfriend?my snowmobile went under the water somewhere by those flashing lights. I’m OK. We have to get out of here.”
The 911 call lasted two minutes and the location the caller provided was sketchy at best: a green light on the left and a red light on the right and a water tower somewhere in Green Bay? End call?
Brown County 911 contacted Eagle III rescue dispatch and requested air assistance. At 10:10 p.m. George Miller, Eagle III’s Director of Operations and senior pilot and a crew chief launched an all-weather IFR rated twin turbo powered EC-135 helicopter.
The Eagle lll crew made several sweeps over the lower waters of Green Bay. They determined that poor visibility called for additional equipment in particular an Ultra 7000 Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system capable of detecting temperature differences down to three tenths of a degree Celsius, which can then be converted into a visible picture displayed on an onboard screen on the flight EC-135’s console. In the end, however, it would not be the space-age FLIR system that saved the day, but a couple of inflatable life rings that crew chief Shaun Stammes snatched up just before they launched again at 10:45 p.m..
Back in the air Eagle lll headed for Grassey Island on the 911 read provided by Brian Hinckley a full-time paramedic on duty that night and a retired Coast Guard boatswain mate chief familiar with Green Bay. Miller made several sweeps over the waters near Grassey Island which is located two miles north of the City of Green Bay adjacent to the shipping canal. On the third sweep the helicopter’s 30 million-candle watt beam picked up a reflection on the south end of Grassy Island. “I dropped low and headed for the island, no larger than the size of a ranch house,” said Miller.
The person in the water had crawled onto the island and was standing as the helicopter approached. “The wind force buffeted the aircraft as I held station while my crewman prepared to pull the victim aboard.” The rotary blades swirled snow about under the intense glow of the night sun. “I held the aircraft several inches off a boulder while using a nearby stone structure as a reference point to maintain station,” said Miller. The helicopter did not carry a cable and basket hoisting system.
Emergency medical technician, Mike Orlando, crouched in the bay braced his 150-pound frame to haul aboard the human statue posed in a frozen body cast. The helicopter hovered inches off the ground ready to receive the frozen cargo. “The guy barely had use of his arms and he wrapped them around Mike’s neck as he pulled him aboard,” said Miller. “When Mike removed the victim’s helmet it was a woman.”
How could that be?
During the two-minute cell phone call to 911, the caller reported: “My girlfriend?my snowmobile went under the water?.” To Miller and his crew that meant the caller was still out in the winter locked bay. They whisked her back to waiting paramedics who cut her free of the frozen body cast.
Airborne again the aircrew raced back to Grassey Island. “We figured he had to be some where close. Near the island the night sun picked up snowmobile tracks which led them a mile or so north to Longtail light, a large white cylindrical tower bordering the Green Bay shipping channel.
It’s now 11:49, two hours since the initial call to 911.
The aircrew couldn’t believe the woman had covered over a mile and a half to reach Grassey Island until Shawn Stammes spotted a flickering red light in the water and realized this is where they broke ice. Miller dropped down several feet off the water and saw a man waiving a helmet over his head with a red light attached. “He was struggling to keep his head up.” The man was near the 35-foot high channel marker, so near in fact that Miller had to station keep off the man so the rotor blade wouldn’t strike the structure.
Stammes gave the command to Mike Orlando, to heave a self-inflating life ring; the rotor wash blew it out of reach. “I maneuvered to the right hoping my rotor wash would push the inflatable towards the man. It didn’t.” Stammes directed Orlando to throw a second life ring with a line attached. “He hit the guy right in the chest. The guy grabbed the line with wet bare hands- how he held on to the three-quarter-inch line and life ring in a fifty-minus degree wind chill accelerated by the rotor blast is a miracle,” said Miller.
The veteran pilot gingerly backed the helicopter away from the structure pulling the man back about ten feet through ice creating a narrow corridor in which he could support himself on the ice with his elbows. Miller then inched forward; the man hooked an arm over a skid. Miller slowly hovered backwards dragging the man under Orlando’s direction onto solid ice where he lay in a prone position, too weak to stand.
Unable to land on the unstable ice, Miller stationed the helicopter within inches of the man. At one time, Orlando feared the landing skid might crush him under the 7,000 pound aircraft. The heat from the 30-million candle watt night sun melted ice, which the rotor wash whipped up encasing in ice the bottom of the aircraft eclipsed from the night sun. The entire bay lay blanketed in ice. Worse yet, condensation from body heat and outside air began fogging the cockpit windows. The rotor blade whirling within a few feet of the 35-foot tower notched up the tension. Orlando was dressed in a flight suit only, a 40-knot wind bearing a 50-minus wind chill brutalized his exposed flesh seeping the life from his hands while coating his legs arms face and upper body in ice.
“Grab and pull his butt into the chopper,” said Miller concerned the spreading condensation would seal off his reference point to the tower. Mike rolled the man’s upper body up onto the cabin floor, his hands all but void of feeling. “It was extremely cold,” said Orlando. With the snowmobiler’s upper body in the helicopter his legs protruded outside the craft in a frozen cockeyed distortion. With a Herculean burst, he hauled the 300 pound water logged stiff crusted in ice aboard and dumped him into a jump seat. The man weighed twice Orlando’s weight and how he pulled the frozen bulk up over the skid and into the aircraft not even Orlando could explain when I spoke with him later.
Within minutes the aircraft was back at its landing port. “Paramedics lifted the man from the helicopter frozen in a sitting position. “ His body core temperature was 80 degrees F,” said Miller.
Miller contributes their survival to a fierce will to live, well insulated foul weather gear and layered underwear, a red strobe light, night illumination material, and a cell phone.
I might add and thanks to some nifty flying by, George Miller, a veteran Marine helicopter pilot who served two tours in Vietnam one as a search and rescue pilot, with over 9,000 logged hours on rotary aircraft. “This was the toughest rescue I ever made and I couldn’t pulled it off without my crew chief, Shaun Stammes, and Mike Orlando,” said Miller.
From Left to right, George Miller pilot, Richard Olszewski, survivor, Mike Orlando, emergency medical technician, and Beth Casa, Survivor. On January 21, 2004 the flight crew of County Rescue Services, Green Bay, plucked the couple from the icy waters of Green Bay at night after their snowmobiles plunged into the bay. One of the survivors spent over two hours in the water exposed to a 50-degree minus wind chill and 40-knot winds.
Photo Tiffany Wiebel, Eagle lll
Side Bar
Ice Rescue Survival Tips
Drowning is one of the leading causes of snowmobile fatalities. During early January 2003, six males drowned in separate snowmobile accidents after plunging through unstable ice in Northern Michigan waters within a four day period. In February and March, warming weather patterns can produce unstable ice. Snowmobile operators should pay heed to weather forecast calling for temperatures in the 30s or 40s. In the event of a cold water emersion, the following ice-rescue survival tips could save your life
► Do not operate a snowmobile on ice over water at night. The couple that plunged into Green Bay were not only operating at night upon unstable ice they were from Illinois and unfamiliar with Green Bay.
► If several snowmobilers are operating on ice, they should not run in tandem but spread out fore and aft so if one breaks through the ice the other can assist.
► Carry a length of nylon line with a small weight on the end. This could be used to assist another person who fell through the ice.
► Should an operator break though the ice do not accelerate it could carry you further away from ice and out or reach of help.
► Carry two ice awls (picks) attached together with a line you can wear around your neck. Place the awls in an upper pocket so they don’t ride over your neck if you plunge into water. In the water, there’s less chance of loosing one or both awls if attached to a line. Should you end up in the water pick with the awls and kick with your feet to pull yourself onto solid ice. Mike Orlando said the woman told him she held onto a slab of ice and kicked to move forward.
► Carry a marine radio or cell phone (water tight plastic bag) and flares (at least 6), also a whistle and wear a life jacket or flotation suit. At night, carry a strobe light. A hand-held GPS in a water-tight bag could prove to be a life saver. Deploy these devices immediately before hands grow numb.
► Place reflective tape on your foul weather suit. The reason the flight crew spotted the gal was that the seams of her dark-colored foul weather exposure weather suit had 1/8 inch thread piping that reflected light. If not for those seams, it’s doubtful they would’ve spotted her. The male was spotted because his helmet carried a flashing red light.
► Wear full body protective wear (suit) with insulation and terminal underwear. Mike Orlando told me when he cut away the survivor's exposure suit, the inner layer of thermal wear felt sweaty and warm to the touch, even though the man’s core body temperature was 80 degrees F.
► Beware- stable ice can turn unstable in hours. Take special note of warming trends in February and March.
► And lastly, lay off the alcohol while operating a snowmobile, over the last ten years, 61-percent of Michigan snowmobile fatalities involved alcohol and drugs.
RTW Rescue
From Australia an interesting story about the rescue of a lone around the world sailor. A private individuals Global Express jet was used. This airplane has a range of approximately 6,000 miles.
The sailor had two broken arms after his boat rolled over in the Southern Ocean.
This is the third time this sailor has been rescued.
Such an incident makes a case for sailors such as Les Bissel taking the Panama Canal route.
Linky Sailing News
Racing Cheyene 8 days to the equator just 8 hours back. Geronimo out for now. Jules Verne or not?. On board fashions. US Olympic Trials: These classes are being dominated: Europe by Meg Galliard , Finn by Kevin Hall, Tornado by Lovell/Ogletree. Yngling and 49er are more competitive. Fast start for Barkow's team. Solo bullets & gusty conditions. St. Pete NOODS
News Orange II a go. Yngling report. Coutts up for award
Great Lakes Toronto terminal. New Mackinac keel laid.
February 13, 2004
Linky Sailing News
Racing 523 miles for Geronimo . 480 for Cheyenne. Sail changing. Slow times for VDH.
News Southam Awards. Watch Keeping. Ocean Planet diet.
Great Lakes Orange alert. Take a cruise.
The shiny happpy recently repainted SC 70 Mirage
Water Level Update
Below you'll find water level info that pertains to Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Reference Point- Measurements in Inches
Difference from Chart Datum -7
Difference from last month -1
Difference from last year +4
Difference from long term average for February -19
Difference from Record High -50
Difference from Record Low +10
Forecast for 13 March 2004 +1
Click for information on other lakes.
February 12, 2004
Linky Sailing News
Racing Cheyenne 656 miles back, but mast still up!. Sail repair. 370 miles for Geronimo. 200 more miles for VDH
News Erickson/Reynolds interview. Olympic trials. Propping.
Great Lakes Ballast Water treaty
February 11, 2004
Water Facts
Water Facts:
At ordinary temperatures, water undergoes evaporation.
Water is less dense as a solid (ice) than as a liquid at 4°C/39°F.
When water is heated to its boiling point (100°C., 212°F., under standard pressure), it vaporizes to steam.
When cooled to its freezing temperature (0°C., 32°F., under standard pressure), water changes to a colorless, crystalline solid (ice).
Geronimo Crew
Geronimo's crew is 11 strong.
Olivier de Kersauson- Skipper
Yves Pouillaude-Watch Captain
Xavier Briault
Pierre Coriveaud
Antoine Deru
Philippe Laot
Didier Ragot Watch Captain
Rodolphe Jacq
Franck Ferey
Armand Coursaudon
Pascal Blouin
Other Jules Verene Crews: Cheyenne and Orange II
Orange II Crew
14 men will sail on board Orange II
Bruno Peyron (skipper) and
Roger Nilson (navigator).
These twelve men are:
Hervé Jan (officer of the watch / helmsman),
Jacques Caraes (adjustor / video),
Halvard Mabire (officer of the watch / helmsman),
Yann Eliès (officer of the watch / adjustor),
Ronan Le Goff (first mate / chandlery),
Sébastien Audigane (helmsman / safety),
Yves Le Blevec (shore co-ordinator / composites),
Florent Chastel (first mate/ rigging),
Jean-Baptiste Epron (supplies / video),
Klabbe Nylof (helmsman / mechanics),
Vladimir Dzalba Lyndis (medical / safety)
Nicolas de Castro (first mate / laminates)
Bold names= Current Holders of the Jules Verne Trophy
Jules Verne Update
The idea behind the Jules Verne Trophy orignally was to see if a boat could sail around the world in 80 days. The 80 day mark was broken in 1994. More recently a solo sailor has made it around in 72 days.
This does not mean the desire to hold the Jules Verne has in any way gone down. This week two record attempts have begun and there should be a 3rd boat out soon. Last winter there were two attempts made, neither successful.
At 05 10 GMT Saturday morning Steve Fosset's Cheyenne began her record atempt. 39 hours later the French trimaran Gernonimo began an attempt at 20 21 GMT Sunday nite. Geronimo made an unsuccessful attempt last year.
In the first week, neither the American catamarn, nor the French trimaran is ahead of record pace. Even Fossett's website admits that Geronimo has had a better start, "the 110' French tri has already reduced the gap by 198 nm on this early segment. "
Cheyenne's 1st goal is to reach the equator in approximately 8 days. This would put them even with current record pace.
Over the first 2 days averaged 16.4 knots compared to the record holder's 19.6.
While the two maxi multis make way south Orange II Bruno Peyron's new 124 foot cat will likely soon join them. Peyron expects to be ready to leave -weather permitting, this Sunday.
Obviously all three are sailing on the longest course there is. Success at the equator (last year Geronimo made in under 7 days) does not guarantee a record. On the other hand Sport Elec took 11 days to the Equator, slowest ever, and still set the record. It'll be a long time and a lot of fast sailing before judgements are made. Only 4 of the Jules Verene attempts have been successful. It's probably best not to confuse activity with automatic success.
Six Ports Trip The Final Stop
This week our reflections on maritime travel opportunities on both shores of Lake Michigan will end in South Haven, MI. Here we'll currently find the Michigan Maritime Museum and in the future will find the Tall Ship Friends of Good Will.
The musuem expects that the ship will help in it's mission of preserving maritime heritage as volunteers, "rig, sail and maintain the vessel."
The original Friends Good Will was built by Oliver Williams a dry goods merchant based in Detroit. In 1810 he decided he needed a ship to bring goods faster and with less effort.
Freinds Good Will launched in 1811, was 47 tons rigged as a square topsail sloop. After a charter voyage from Mackinac to Fort Dearborn in Chicago, Friends had a setback. Upon return to Mackinac Island she was taken as a prize of war by the British. The War of 1812 had broken out! The British Navy renamed her H.M. Sloop Little Belt. The ship participated in the Battle of Lake Erie and was eventually captured by Oliver Hazard Perry. After serving as a troop transport ship the sloop was eventually burned in Buffalo New York. It is this historic naval & merchant vessel that soon will be recreated in South Haven.
Scarano Boatbuilding of Albany NY will construct the Friends Good Will. The construction contract was signed 18 December, 2003. She is expected to arrive in South Haven this summer for fitting out. 2005 will be her first season.
Led by Jim Spurr a group of volunteers called Ship's Company of Friends of Good Will meet once a month at the museum to prepare for the ship's arrival.
The arrival of this ship will provide a unique maritime tourism opportunity along Michigan's West Coast. The 56 foot ship will be able to home port in South Haven's Black River. However, she will also travel to events such as Muskegon's Summer Celebration enticing more people towards the water and it's history.
This project will cost a total of $ 2 million dollars. Funds are needed from all levels- individuals to corpoartions.
The arrival of Friends will strengthen the Maritime Museum. The Museum is a unique combination of exhibits and collections. Exhibits have included commerical fishing, and Michigan maritime history as far back as dugout canoes. The collection includes authentic Coast Guard Buildings, and the Marialyce Canonie Great Lakes Research Library which covers the full scope of Michigan Maritime history. The library is located in the former light keepers dwelling. Also on site is the Padnos Boat Shed where people can get hands on boatbuilding training. The museum is also actively involved in preservation of the catwalk leading to the South Haven lighthouse.
Of all the cities, vessels and attractions covered in this series South Haven offers the most opportunities for your time.
We've seen that cities on the shores of Lake Michigan grew up around and depended on the lake. With a new ferry for 2004, a tall ship in 2005, the City of Milwaukee's new location, and more, the relationship betwen city & water has not lessened.
In the summer of 2004 try out the items in this series and come sail with us at Torresen Marine!
Linky Sailing News
Racing Cheyenne repairs sails with Geronimo behind pace. VDH slows. A-class worlds. Etchells Jaguar series
News World Series. The rescue of Everest Horizontal.
Great Lakes Toronto terminal delay. Baysail. Business looks good. Port Huron 100
February 10, 2004
Safety Series: Man Overboard
This week we'll take learn about safety in the form of some new man overboard products. There's not a worse situtation than to be on even the smallest body of water with a person accidentally in the water. Even in daylight, waves can make the human body hard to find. A person in the water truly shows how small humans are compared to our watery planet.
Franck Cammas an Open 60 trimaran skipper has been testing a man overboard system he calls wavefinder. In this sytem a beacon is attached to each crews inflatable PFD. When the jacket inflates, the beacon transmits a signal to the boat. On board there is a display which shows the course to be taken to get to the person in the water.
Another product is the Sea Marshall. This method uses a beacon on the 121.5 MHZ frequency. Transmission begins after 17 seconds in the water. Each unit is $ 254.00. This product is used on board Steve Fossett's Cheyenne.
There is even a man overboard recovery system that is wrist watch size.
I've not used any of them, but they should make the person in the water seem bigger which should help in recovery.
Olympic Trails Part II
Last fall 5 places on the USA's Olympic sailing team were settled. Beginning Saturday 5 more classes will have their representatives decided. The classes are: 49er, Yngling, Finn, Europe and Tornado. Racing will conclude on 22 February.
This month's series of theme articles is on the Olympics. So, this week we'll look at the second part of the USA"s Olympic trais.
The Yngling class sailed by 3 women teams has a number of potential winners. Hannah Swett recently was named US Sailor of the Year for her win at the 2003 Yngling worlds. Along with crewmates Purdy and Touchette Swett is a favorite.
The team of Alison/Leech & Ichyda is actually the world's 2nd ranked team and finished 5th at the 2003 worlds. Jody Swantson skippers the 6th ranked team with Sertle & Crtazig as crew. They were 2nd at the Pre trials regatta. Ranked 9th is the team of Cronin/Haberland & Filter. Ranked # 21 in the world is the team of Barkow/Capozzi and Baroni. This is a younger team than the others.
I'll give my predictive nod to Alison's experienced team.
Meg Galliard ranked 12th in the world is a solid favorite in the Europe class as are the 6th ranked team of Tim Wadlow and Pete Spaulding in the 49er class.
The Finn class shows a number of possibilities including: Geoff Ewenson, Kevin Hall and Mo Hart. Hall is a slight favorite.
The Tornado catamaran class looks to be a two team race. John Lovell and Charlie Ogletree represented the US and are ranked 12th in the world. Lars Guck and Johnathan Farrar are ranked 21st. Lead up regattas show no dominant team. I'll take the Guck skippered team on the basis of their recent peformances.
The conclusion of these trials will leave only the Star Class needing to hold trials and they will do so in March.
Linky Sailing News
Racing Cheyenne trails record while Geronimi has fast start. 60 days? VDH Sails on
News Trialist. AC benefits
Great Lakes Ferry promotion. Naval ship in Milwaukee? Funds. Rules needed?
Ben Ainslie's Gold Medal winning Laser on display at National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Photo Bob Berry/NMMC
February 9, 2004
Jules Verne Attempts
Steve Fosset's 125 foot catamaran Cheyenne began this years 1st attempt at the Jules Verne record at 05 10 GMT Saturday morning. 39 hours later the French trimaran Gernonimo began an attempt at 20 21 GMT Sunday nite.
Cheyenne prior to setting sail
With the current record held by Orange at 64 days, the new record holder can use 9 weeks as a benchmark.
During her record Orange covered the leg to the Equator in 7 days 22 hours. Last year Geronimo made it to the equator in 6 days 9 hours, but ended up short of the record. Longest time to the Equator is Sport Elec's 11 days.
Linky Sailing News
Racing: Cheyenne makes Jules Verne Attempt which is currently slow followed by Geronimo. VDH rounds final Cape + 25 days. Joyon's trip
News Centenial Trans Pac. Rolex awards.
Great Lakes Spirit of Ontario passes inspection. Shoreline preserved
February 6, 2004
Water Level Update
Below you'll find water level info that pertains to Lakes Michigan and Huron.
Reference Point- Measurements in Inches
Difference from Chart Datum -6
Difference from last month -1
Difference from last year +3
Difference from long term average for February -19
Difference from Record High -49
Difference from Record Low +11
Forecast for 6 March 2004 0
Click for information on other lakes.
Linky Sailing News
Racing DN worlds. VDH + 22 days
News Small boats including Buccaneer, Fusion & Butterfly
Great Lakes Good times at Strictly Sail. Port Huron Mac YC Challenge. The diversion issue. History collection donated
February 5, 2004
Fossett says We're Going
Code Green (Finally)
Fossett: "We're Going."
Cheyenne to leave Plymouth Friday Afternoon
for early Saturday (Feb 7th) RTW Start at Ouessant
5 February 2004 - Plymouth, Devon, UK: Skipper Steve Fossett returned to Plymouth this afternoon and confirmed overnight predictions - a reasonable weather scenario is coming together for an imminent Round The World start. Early Friday afternoon (Feb 6th) Steve and his crew will take the big (125') catamaran off the dock here at Plymouth Yacht Haven (at Mountbatten near the village of Plymstock) and make the 120 mi trip to the official Round The World Record start line at Le Stiff lighthouse on the French island of Ouessant (Ushant). This transit to Ouessant should take 10-12 hours - mostly heading upwind.
Their next leg will be a little longer - totalling 21,760 miles in fact: Ouessant to Ouessant, via the three capes - Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, Cape Horn, Fossett expects to cross the start line Saturday morning - between 0300-1200 GMT.
Cheyenne's target will be the 2002 record as certified by the WSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council) of 64 days 8 hours 37 minutes 24 seconds - avg speed13.98 kts, set by Bruno Peyron and crew aboard the 110' catamaran Orange (see http://www.sailspeedrecords.com/ratified.html).
Steve Fossett: "We're going. After waiting since the start of the year we finally have a pattern we think will work. It is not a traditional start pattern, but we expect to find our way through."
Watch Captain David Scully has been watching the local forecast with Steve: "Getting to the line will be rough - we're facing headwinds of up to 50 kts. We are then expecting the wind to veer to the W / NW as we negotiate the Bay of Biscay."
Cheyenne's new navigator Adrienne Cahalan arrived late Wednesday after a flight from her home in Sydney and has been installing herself at the nav station. Adrienne replaces Stan Honey, whose April commitments to the new Pyewacket maxi-sled forced him to leave the RTW when the start became delayed. Thomas Coville - who also had to leave to return to his 2004 racing season preparations as skipper of the trimaran Sodebo - will be replaced by 29 year old Irishman Justin Slattery, former bowman on Newscorp in the last VOR and crewman on Nicorette's 1997 TransAt monohull record.
Cheyenne's definitive RTW crew of 13 now comprises:
Steve Fossett (skipper) USA
David Scully (watch captain) USA
Brian Thompson (watch captain) GB
Adrienne Cahalan (navigator) AUS
Guillermo Altadill ESP
Mike Beasley NZL
Fraser Brown NZL
Mark Featherstone GB
Damian Foxall IRE
Nick Leggatt ZA
Paul Van Dyke USA
Jacques Vincent FRA
Justin Slattery IRE
Linky Sailing News
Racing A cat worlds. Finns Brazil
News ISAF rankings. Parlier's new machine
Great Lakes Ferry tickets. The Manitous. Real life survivor
Finn World Champion Ben Ainslie in Brazil
February 4, 2004
Six Ports Trip Part V
Last week we arrived in Ludington via the coal powered Badger. This week we'll head north to Manistee. This city doesn't have history as a car ferry port, but is home to an historic car ferry the City of Milwaukee.
City of Milwaukee's Bow
For the past several years the ship has been in a temporary and less than desireable location. That has changed with some help from the federal government. The ferry group has taken over a motel and marina just to the north of downtown Manistee. Boaters will be able to dock in the marina adjacent to the historic ship.
1933 Ferry Dock dedication in Muskegon
The City of Milwaukee began service in 1931 for the Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1933 the ship took place in the dedication of the Grand Trunk's new Muskegon dock at the foot of McCracken Street, currently home to the Milwaukee Clipper. In 1978 she was sold to the Ann Arbor railroad and operated until 1981. In 2000 she arrived in Manistee and should be there for some time to come. The ship is currently being repainted to her original Grand Trunk Colors.
Ship's bosun chair
Next week our trip will conclude in South Haven which will soon be home to it's own Tall Ship.
Joyon's Accomplishments
The essentials facts are this: Francis Joyon sailed around the world solo in 72 days 22 hours and 54 minutes. This is over 20 days faster than the previous record. In 1969 Robin Knox Johnston compelted the first solo not stop voyage in 313 days.
Joyon acheived this record on the 90 foot trimaran IDEC. Unlike the Open 60 mono hull that set the previous record, IDEC was not purpose built for solo sailing. In fact as Sport Elec the boat once held the Jules Verne Trophy for fasted crewed voyage around the world.
Remarkably Joyon's time was just 32 hours longer solo than when the same boat circled the globe with crew. Joyon a 47 year old father of 2 got about 4 hours of sleep per day.
Joyon is the 4th on an all French list to have soloed a trimaran around the globe. The others are the late Alain Colas, Phillipe Monnet and Olivier de Kersuason.
Joyon and Family
Photo by Jacques Vapillon
Joyon's time of 72 days is actually faster than that of the first two boats that held the Jules Verne trophy. Bruno Peyron's Explorer took 79 days and ENZA with Peter Blake aboard needed 74 days.
If you look at Joyon's voyage in comparison to past Jules Verne record holders he was better than all at some point. To the equator he was 23 hours faster than Sport Elec. From the equator to the Cape of Good Hope he was 8 hours faster than current record holder Orange. From Cape Horn to the Equator he was faster than Enza and Explorer. From the equator to the finish he posted the fastest time ever! Again all this while sailing solo v. sailing with a crew.
Joyon was not flushly funded. His mainsail dated from the boat's previous circumnaviation in 1997. Further unlike many contemporary ocean record voyages he did not have shore side routing assistance.
One of the people this record directly affects is Ellen Macarthur. She recently launched a 75 foot trimaran intended for solo record breaking. She is being coy about whether she will make an around the world attempt saying, "With regards to the round-the-world record attempt, all I can say for now is that we shall see." Macarthur's past record shows she will likely make an attempt, but Joyon has raised the standard she will have to achieve considerably.
In 2000, after winning the OSTAR Trans Atlantic, Joyon said: " "But for me the goal was really to take my offshore racing experience to greater heights and gain a greater understanding of the ocean....I think it was because I was more in touch with the elements, that I won in the end."
He's moved to yet greater heights with this voyage. The greatest ever? What do you think?
Olympic Sailing Classes
Throughout February we will have a look at sailing at the Olympic level. We'll look at the classes, potential winners, the venue and the history of Olympic sailing. This year's Olympic regatta is from 14 to 28 August in Athens, Greece.
In 2004 there will be 11 classes that will sail 9 different classes of boats. Three of these classes are for single handed sailors.
Most familiar is the Laser one of the most popular sailboats ever. The Laser is 13 feet and 150,000 of them exist worldwide.
The Finn is the singlehanded class for men. In the past sailors such as Paul Elvstrom and Russell Coutts have sailed this demanding boat.
The Europe is the single handed class for women. The boat is similar to the Finn, but allows women in the 100 to 175 pound range to compete successfully.
The 470 and the 49er are dinghy classes for 2 person crews. The 15 foot 470 has seperate classes for men's and women's team. It has been an Olympic class since 1976.
The 49er is a skiff with dobule trapeeze & hiking wings that allows both men and women to compete. It's one of the newest classes. If you see TV coverage of Olympic sailing these fast, skittish, asymetrical spinnaker flying skiffs will likely be on screen.
The Mistral class sailorboard is used by both men and women. World class wind surfers sail in an extrmely physical manner and have been doing so at the Olympic since 1984.
Tornado's are the catamaran raced in the Olympics. Two person crews on these cats now fly asymetrical spinnakers.
There are keelboat classes for women and men. The Star-orginally designed in 1911- is the men's class. There's a list of Hall of Fame sailors who have competed in this class which is becoming more physcially oriented as a new group of sailors who formerly sailed Finns move up.
Making it's Olympic debut will be the women's keel boat the Yngling. This boat was designed by Jan Linge who also designed the Soling.
A total of 42 sailors will win Olympic medals in these classes. Next week we'll take a look at Athens Greece where they will sail.
Links for this article provided by Intersail
A Purposeful Voyage
Here's the set up: you're in you're 30's. An ex Peace Corps volunteer. You've biked from San Diego to New Jersey. The picture of health! Then...you have a stroke. Unfortunately in January of 2002, Les Bissel became part of this statistic: 1/3rd of strokes are suffered by those under 65.
Les Bissel
Bissel has literally come back from his stroke and will now attempt another long distance voyage, this time by sail on water rathern than on land by bike. He began sailing 4 months after his stroke and this April he will began an around the world voyage to spread the word of stroke awareness and prevention.
He'll tackle this voyage on Hope his Newport 28. Sailing this durable, but not speedy cruiser, Bissel will have plenty of time to help people learn about strokes. Bissel is taking preperations seriously. There must be few other Newport 28's with Vectran backstays! He will not sail solo, with Brian Murphy serving as his crew.
Hope
Hope will sail via the Panama Canal. Along the way Les will stop in Somoa, where he served in the Peace Corps. During periods like Hurricane Season Bissel plans to take jobs to earn money and continue his informational voyage.
Sailing around the world has been done before. I can't imagaine that many voyages have been undertaken with better motives.
We'll continue to follow Les as he attempts to succeed on and off the water.
Linky Sailing News
Racing A Cats. Finnsters. Joyon reaction & kudos
News Deep Survival . Rescue medals. Sailmaking news. Cheyenne changes. Buy the Vendee Globe. Sea Marshall
Great Lakes Water Level report.
Icy view of Muskegon Light
February 3, 2004
Safety Series: Building a Sun Protection Kit
One of the Red Cross' preparedness steps is building a kit. All the equipment and gear on a boat, or in a sea bag are examples of kits. Realistically the kit will have several sub kits. One of the 10 essentials is being prepared for sun. This article will take a look at building a sun kit.
Hat -Hats, from ball caps to sou westers have always been worn by sailors. Going beyond the typical ball cap there are products like Tilley hats which provide special UV ray protection. There are also hats that have neck veils that prevent you from becoming a red neck. There are also hats made out of fabrics such as Cool Max that will allow better ventilation of your head. A hat too hot
to wear is the definition of ineffective.
Clothes -You can purchase clothing that is specially made to block out the sun. Such clothing will use a fabric with a tighter weave, and be a darker color.
Sun Glasses -A key factor in chosing sun glasses for being on the water is that they be polarized. Polarized sun glasses essentially block glare off water and UV rays allowing you to see things like shallow spots, and puffs of wind with greater clarity.
Another issue is that sunglasses can be a pricy item. Since they don't float well something like a Croakie is a small investment to keep your multi-hundred dollar shades on your head.
Sun Screen -When chosing a sun screen, go with one that is least SPF 15. SPF numbers are intended to give people a baseline on how long they can stay in the sun. Everybody's skin is different so, there is not a one size fits all formula. Here's an example: say unprotected skin takes 15 minutes to burn. Applying a SPF 15 sunblock could give up to 225 minutes protection. To find
out how a certain SPF will help, take the number of minutes your skin can be exposed without burning and multiply it by the SPF #.
In addition to having enough SPF, sun screen for sailing should be water proof. An example of a water proof sun screen is Bullfrog.
A combination of the above will help protect you from the sun.
Linky Sailing News
Racing Joyon nails solo record
Francis Joyon and IDEC after new solo record
News Cook paintings. Historic Charts. New MOB system
Great Lakes 2003 Water Levels
February 2, 2004
Looking Forward to the Mac
This year the Chicago to Mackinac race will start on July 24th. It follows the Port Huron Mac beginning July 17th. This will be the 98th sailing of the Mac race.
This year the Mac races will be dark - literally. With the full moon on July 2nd, by the time sailors are standing night watches during the Port Huron Mac they will do so under a dim new moon. For the Chi-Mac the moon will be at it's first quarter, but will set right around 11:58 Chicago time on the 25th. This will make for a race course that is potentially lit only by starlight.
For the second year the Americap II rating system will be used. As is always the case with handicapping rules, Americap has received mixed reviews.
There may be a separate section for 'sprit boats'. This proposed section would include boats like J125's, but not the J105's which should have their own one design section.
As has generally been the case there should be several boats capable of breaking elapsed time records. There will once again be a Windquest capable of line honors. The DeVos family has purchased Zephryus, a Max Z 86. Unlike the new Pyewacket, this boat does not have a canting keel. As Zephryus this boat set the record in the Pineapple Cup race to Montego Bay.
Another potential record breaker will be Genuine Risk, a 90 footer that uses canting keel twin foil technology. Alchemy will return from California. Trader, the first Great Lakes based Transpac 52, should also be on the line.
Alchemy
These modern boats are beginning to make a bit of a mockery of the 333 mile course. In 1969, which was a light air race, the first boat finished in 60 hours. Last year Alchemy came from California and needed less than 24 hours to complete the course in similar conditions.
Still for most boats the race will include 2 nights on the water. The course takes the boats from one end of Lake Michigan to the other and often from one side to the other. The course includes cityscapes, sand dunes, islands, light houses, the Mackinac bridge, and plenty of blue Lake Michigan water.
Torresen Marine will once again provide unofficial and independent coverage of this annual summer high point.
January 2004 Weather Report
Muskegon began 2004 snowy and cold. Temperatures were 2.5 degrees below normal. The high for the month was 57 degrees on the 2nd. The low was -1° on the 25th. This is the second year in a row January has been below normal in temperature.
More notable was the snowfall of 47 inches. This was 12.6 inches more than normal. On January 27th, 7.8 inches of snow fell. Compare this to December when 7.3 inches of snow fell the entire month. Historically this was only the 17th snowiest January. The snowiest January for Muskegon was 1982 when 102.4 inches of snow fell.
Winter Beach
We received 1.35 inches of precipitation, which is .87 inches below normal. The 14th saw .34 inches of rain fall, most for any day.
It was also a windy month with an average wind speed of 11.6 knots. The The 21st was the windiest day with an average wind speed of 19.4 knots. Least windy day was the 24th with an average wind of 4.9 knots.
January was typically cloudy with 27 days of clouds, 1 above the typical figure of 26. The solstice occured last month meaning we are getting more daylight. The normal number of days with clouds in February is 21, meaning we should see more of the increasing
amounts of sunlight.
Linky Sailing News
Racing Olympic class conclusion. US takes 49er and Star. Cayard's take. Europe and Finn trials upcoming. Joyon to finish tomorrow.
News Parlier cat launched. Schwab skis. Fossett no go. Beashel chosen. Coutts teaches. Tartan 4400
Great Lakes Cleanup $. Sail on the Appledore's .
The Big Lake In Winter