Catalina Fleet 21 - Chicago Region
FleetSheet Newsletter

May 2006

REGISTER FOR TOUR BY MAY 8

Our general meeting on May 16 offers you a rare opportunity to view the newly renovated Chicago Marine Safety Station. The Coast Guard along with Illinois Conservation Police and Chicago Police now occupy the newly renovated Chicago Marine Safety Station (CMSS) in downtown Chicago at the foot of Randolph Street near the Chicago Locks. The CMSS renovation was completed in 2005. This building has been known by many names throughout the years including Coast Guard Station Old Chicago, Coast Guard Lifeboat Station Old Chicago, Chicago Police Marine Unit Headquarters and now, after the completed revitalization, Chicago Marine Safety Station.

In addition to a tour of the facility our meeting will feature speakers from the Chicago Police Marine Unit, the U. S. Coast Guard and the State of Illinois Conservation Police.

Due the limited parking, pre-registering all the vehicles of those attending in necessary. We must turn in our registration one week before the actual meeting. That means you must let Brian Ruxton know you are attending this meeting by 5 p.m. on May 8. He needs to know your name, the make, model, and year of the car you will be driving and the license number. Carpooling is encouraged. You will be turned away if you have not pre-registered. Call Brian at 630-932-1200. This is his work number. You will be able to leave a message.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. This is not a dinner meeting.

Driving directions to reach the CMSS are included on a separate sheet enclosed with this newsletter.

Another reason to attend the May General Meeting is to receive your 2006 Fleet Directory.

The June General Meeting is scheduled for the 20th at the Burnham Park Yacht Club. We’re planning a Nautical Flea Market and you’ll be able to buy, sell, and exchange boat related items. I’m planning to sell a 36” folding wheel, a never-used instrument panel, an Anchor Shade, a pick-up buoy and mooring lines! That’s just for starters –who knows what else is in the basement! Take a look at your stuff and set it aside for this fun evening! You set your own prices and take home the money (or spend it to buy some other guy’s stuff!) More details in the May newsletter.



DIRECTIONS FROM THE NORTH TO
CHICAGO MARINE SAFETY STATION (CMSS)

-Take Congress (I 290) east until it ends at Columbus Dr.
-Turn left (north) on Columbus and follow to Jackson Dr. (next street)
-Turn right (east) on Jackson Dr. and follow until it ends at Lake Shore Dr. (41)
-Turn left on Lake Shore Dr. (41) and follow to Randolph St. exit. The exit is on the right so stay in the right lane once on Lake Shore Dr. (41)
-Take the Randolph St. exit where you will come to a light at the bottom. The Columbia Yacht Club (big blue & white ship) will be on your right.
-Go straight through the intersection and drive onto the driveway that leads below the bridge. Do not take the ramp to the right as it will take you back onto 41. There will be a sign for DuSable Harbor on the right.
-Follow the driveway down towards the guard shack and use your parking pass to raise the gate (if it is not raised already).
-Once past guard shack, park anywhere in that vicinity.
-Walk out the Northeast part of the lot and out onto the breakwater access to get to the CMSS building.
-Walk in the main entrance (Southeast side of building) and check in at the CPD Reception Area and the watch officer will buzz you in. The Command/Training Room is straight through the door and into the next door.

ALTERNATE DIRECTIONS FROM THE NORTH

-Take Congress (I 290) east until it ends at Columbus Dr.
-Turn left (north) on Columbus and follow to Randolph St.
-Turn right (east) on Randolph St. and follow it until it ends by Lake Shore Dr. (41). The Columbia Yacht Club (big blue & white ship) will be straight ahead.
-Go straight through the intersection towards the Columbia Yacht Club and make a hard left onto the driveway that leads below the bridge. Once you turn left at that intersection, do not take the ramp to the right as it will take you back onto 41. There will be a sign for DuSable Harbor on the right.
-Follow the driveway down towards the guard shack and use your parking pass to raise the gate (if it is not raised already).
-Once past guard shack, park anywhere in that vicinity.
-Walk out the Northeast part of the lot and out onto the breakwater access to get to the CMSS building.
-Walk in the main entrance (Southeast side of building) and check in at the CPD Reception Area and the watch officer will buzz you in.

DIRECTIONS FROM CALUMET (THE SOUTH)

-Leave Calumet Park and turn right onto Ewing (41 North).
-Follow the 41 North towards Chicago where it also becomes Lake Shore Drive. There will be many turns so you will need to follow the signs closely.
-Stay on Lake Shore Dr. (41) all the way into the downtown area and follow to Randolph St. exit. The exit is on the right so stay in the right lane once you are in the downtown vicinity.
-Take the Randolph St. exit where you will come to a light at the bottom. The Columbia Yacht Club (big blue & white ship) will be on your right.
-Go straight through the intersection and drive onto the driveway that leads below the bridge. Do not take the ramp to the right as it will take you back onto 41. There will be a sign for DuSable Harbor on the right.
-Follow the driveway down towards the guard shack and use your parking pass to raise the gate (if it is not raised already).
-Once past guard shack, park anywhere in that vicinity.
-Walk out the Northeast part of the lot and out onto the breakwater access to get to the CMSS building.
-Walk in the main entrance (Southeast side of building) and check in at the CPD Reception Area and the watch officer will buzz you in. The Command/Training Room is straight through the door and into the next door.



A MESSAGE FROM THE
COMMODORE

My river trip this year included a familiar spectator viewing our flotilla from high above. Terry Reis took a break from his work day to view the year’s first flotilla heading to the open water. No doubt, thinking about his upcoming trip to his new slip at Burnham Harbor. I hope his trip went as well as ours did.

The general meeting at UK Sail Loft was very well attended (40+). We received a demonstration of one of their computer operated cutting machines and were shown their sewing machines and work area that they use to make sails There was a Q & A period afterwards that was helpful to many of our members.

The May meeting is going to be held at the Chicago Marine Safety Station (details in this newsletter). This is a rare opportunity to tour the new facility and learn about the roles that the Chicago Police Marine Unit, United States Coast Guard and the Illinois Conservation Police play in water safety. I want to especially thank Brian Ruxton for his above and beyond efforts to organize this event for us. Please make sure you contact him and confirm your attendance. It is imperative that you pre-register your vehicle so that you will be able to park.

In June you’ll want to be part of an excursion on the “Red Witch” (details in this newsletter). This event has had a lot of interest since it was first brought up and I suspect will be well attended also. There are a limited number of tickets available and they will be sold on a “first come, first serve basis”. So please get your ticket order and money in as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on this great adventure. If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Lorelei Lauraitis or one of her committee members.

There is a photo shoot in the planning stages that will be off Montrose Harbor. A great chance to get a picture of your boat in action on the water with the Chicago Skyline in the background. Please watch future newsletters for details.

We are also hoping to provide Catalina Fleet 21 representation in this year’s Leukemia Cup in August. Please contact David Green for additional information.

I hope everyone is well on their way to their home port and I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our Margarita Party at the end of the month.

Richard “Rick” Roberts
Commodore




MEMBERSHIP

Welcome aboard to the following new member :

Skipper: Ritchie Geoghan
First Mate: Jodi
Boat Info: Name: Contrarian Size: 25 Harbor: Belmont Mooring: SD-K5

The 2006 Membership Directory will be distributed at the May General Meeting. Additional copies will be available for purchase. Directories will be mailed to those not in attendance.

RACING

Spend an afternoon racing and help a good cause.
Chicago’s Leukemia Cup is Saturday, August 26.
This annual fund -raising event includes racers of all types including Cruising sailors. We have the opportunity to have our own Fleet start in this race if we have enough interest. 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. Get your crew together and “let’s go racing!” For additional information or to sign up, contact racing chairman David Green  or at 219-988-2348.
Sign up now to ensure that we have a Catalina start.
This is a casual race—experience not necessary!




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.hoffman3 .

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 $600 OBO. Dave DeAre 630-469-6117 or email : deare30@sbcglobal.net


FOR SALE: 1981 Catalina 25. Adios Cruising accommodations for six people with the standard Catalina 25 layout. Lots of extra headroom, light and ventilation with the Pop Top companionway. New 2001 Johnson electric start 9.9 HP outboard engine (used only in 2002 and 2003 seasons). Relax with the Autohelm ST 1000 Tiller Pilot. Listen to the Blaupunkt stereo. All original manuals are still available. Located at Crowley’s Yacht Yard $8,000. Please contact Ray Cesca at 630-789-3717. Email: r.cesca .


2006 Outings

Margarita Party - Burnham Harbor - May 27th