August 2006

MODEL RACERS

Our general meeting on August 15 features a demonstration of radio –controlled sailboats.
Weather permitting, a race course will be set up in the harbor in front of the yacht club and you’ll get to see these sleek boats in action—and even try your hand at radio-controlled racing. The boats and our speaker are members of the Chicago Radio Controlled Sailing Club. The group races all summer long at Humboldt Park, Lincoln Park, and Montrose Harbor. Members build their own boats (Soling One Meters) and modify them to go fast. Regular racing rules apply and it’s just as competitive!

Around 7:30 we’ll head into the Yacht Club for dinner. There will be a limited menu of moderately priced items. The program will continue inside and we’ll finish the evening with our regular business meeting. If you plan to have dinner please call the Yacht Club at 312-427-4664 for reservations. Tell them you are part of the Catalina group. Parking may be available in the old airport parking lot. As far as we can tell nothing is scheduled for Charter One Pavilion on the 15th. For our June meeting we were able to park in the airport for free. No guarantees, but it is a good possibility.

Don’t miss this fun evening! Our September 19 meeting will feature a slide show of lighthouses on the Great Lakes.

FAREWELL, PETE

Pete Duerr, Commodore of Fleet 21 in 1997, passed away on August 5, 2006, from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Pete was a friend to everyone in the Fleet and generous with his time and knowledge of sails and sailing. If it could be fixed or built, Pete would offer his advice on how to do it. Ultimate 19th Hole (both old and new) are marvels of Pete’s ingenuity and reflect his love of boats and sailing. He and his wife Madalyn faced his final illness with courage and determination to live every day to the fullest. He died as Fleet 21 members gathered for an outing at his beloved Hammond harbor. Somehow it seemed fitting.

He will truly be missed. On September 9 a flotilla of boats will sail out of Hammond to scatter Pete’s ashes on Lake Michigan. An Open House celebrating Pete’s life will follow at their home in Tinley Park. All Fleet members are invited. More details on time of events will be sent later. Donations in Pete’s name to the ALS Foundation are also welcomed.

If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone,

Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.

Weep if you must,
Parting is hell,

But life goes on,
So sing as well.

Joyce Grenfell

A MESSAGE FROM THE
COMMODORE

I have read some to the history of the club and of course heard stories about its founding. The one thing that always stood out in my mind was a group of sailors taking their Catalina 22’s and heading for Door County. The stories included many tales of fun as well as harrowing experiences and the way members helped each other as they sailed around Door County. That was the only picture I had in my mind of a Fleet cruise when we headed out to Door County in Catalinas ranging from 30’ to 40’. I couldn’t imagine how this would apply to these larger boats but that was soon to change.

The first day included some great winds and sailing. As we were approaching Racine, conditions started to change and get a little dicey (at least for me). I soon received a call on my Radio from Mission Accomplished that winds ahead of me were gusting at over 35 knots and to get ready for them. They then dropped back to be near XanZaMar in case I got in trouble. I was really comforted to know that someone was there, just in case. Each day that followed included so many examples of members helping members and members sharing their experience and knowledge. I learned a lot about sailing and my Catalina 30 on this trip as I had hope. I received so much more from the trip than I was able to give. I am very thankful to everyone that was on the cruise.

I hope you were able to read the Blog for the trip that Bob Kuba posted daily. His writing style gave a good flavor of the trip. The mandatory, end of the day, cocktail parties were well attended and enjoyed by all. I am already looking forward to next year’s trip. If you can make one of these cruises in the future, I highly recommend it.

The nominating committee is in the final stages of putting together the slate of next year’s officers. This slate will be presented to members in attendance at the September General Meeting. We will then vote on the slate in October.

I hope you and your crew are getting some good sailing in between all the crazy weather we are having this season.

I want to personally welcome Bob Peters and First Mate Kris Watson to the Fleet and hope to see you at a meeting or outing soon. And on a sad note, I join all of you in mourning the death of Pete Duerr. Pete truly embodied what this group is all about: friendship, sailing, sharing knowledge and skills, and having fun.

Richard “Rick” Roberts
Commodore

CYA
Notes from CYA Meeting in Hammond on July 27, 2006 attended by Lori Lauraitis:

**August 12 - Burnham Harbor Marina Day from Noon - 4:00pm Open House
Refreshments, DJ, band, mini-boat show Skipper Buds and another dealer Free Transient Mooring (south end of "S" Dock with some rafting)
BBQ First 100 people, fuel sales @10% off

**The herbicide used in the harbors to kill vegetation, is environmentally approved to be safe, for water. All harbors use the same formula.

*There will be no more CYA meetings at Hammond, until 2008. The Commodore and
Managers asked for reciprocal measures to the Hammond boaters in the Chicago
Harbor system as many of their members are relocated all over the Lakefront. They
hope to be in operation, again in 2008.

*The Police Department is paying attention to those who are parking at Burnham Park
on concert night. Cars who don't have passes will be towed. Do not park illegally,
even with a pass and please don't park on the grass.

*Be careful how you advertise that you have a boat for sale. Only the boat is for sale, not the mooring. They are revoking mooring permits if you advertise tyhat you are selling your boat with a slip. This is being watched very carefully; it is against the law.

*Bill Rossberger brought up the fact that the Park District and the City Council needs
to be aware that sometimes the changes they think will work, don't and that unless they investigate all of the consequences of their repair work to the Lakefront, it may not be around the in the future.

*The Firehouse on Northerly Island, is being looked at as a "Community Sailing Center"and perhaps a Maritime Society Museum adjacent to the building. Planning & funding is a consideration involving Peter Goldman. The Rainbow Sailing Club building might be a consideration for a restaurant. A lot of consideration given to the Lakefront.

MEMBERSHIP
Welcome aboard to the following new members:

Bob Peters
First Mate: Kris Watson
Address: Chicago, IL 60610
Boat Info: Name Porto Belo Size: 34
Harbor: Burnham Mooring: M-22

RACING
We only need one more boat to have our own Fleet start in this year’s Leukemia Cup on Saturday, August 26! Why not get a crew together and participate! This annual fund -raising event includes racers of all types including Cruising sailors. The entry fee which goes to the fight against leukemia is $50. Racing begins around 1:30 p.m. and ends around 3:30 p.m followed by a great party. For additional information or to sign up, contact racing chairman David Green at sailingmates@yahoo.com or at 219-988-2348. Sign up now at www.leukemiacup.org/il to ensure that we have a Catalina start.
This is a casual race—experience not necessary!

BANQUET
Plans are underway for our Annual Fleet Banquet scheduled for November 11 at the Belmont Station of the Chicago Yacht Club. Do you have something you would like to donate to be used as a door prize or possible raffle item? Donations in the past have included a folding bike and nautical framed art.
Please call Terry or Barb Ries at 630-879-2619 if you do.

BUY/TRADE/SELL
Fleet members may list items they want to sell, trade, or buy in this column without any charge.
Send listings to Fleet Sheet Editor, 306 Linden Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 Fax 630-668-8950 email: Newsletter Phone: 630-469-6117
Ads will run for two issues unless requested otherwise.

FOR SALE: Catalina 400, 1998, one owner, excellent condition.Most comfortable boat ever. King sized platform bed in aft cabin.Cockpit holds 10-12 people comfortably. Custom velveteen upholstery, two heads, shower in both. Radar, chart plotter, GPS, electric winch for all halyards, dodger/bimini, everything you need. Stored at Skipper Buds in Winthrop Harbor. Asking $165K. Bill Hoffman 773-208-9089, 773-294-2415, Bill Hoffman .

FOR SALE: Lewmar 36” folding wheel. Leather covered. Used one season on our Catalina 30. Worked great! Fits Edson pedestal. West Marine price $799.99. Will sell for $500. Dave DeAre 630-469-6117 or email : Dave DeAre