Venture/MacGregor Yacht Club
Venturing

Last updated: December 21, 1997 @ 16:33 CST

November 7 - 9 at Lake Ray Hubbard
Proceeds will go to the
Shriners Hospitals for Children

See Racing Report for details

Membership Meeting:
Tuesday, October 21st, 7:30 p.m.
BRISKET / POT LUCK SUPPER
See Social News for details.

Contents

COMMODORE'S REPORT - Dave Taylor
VICE COMMODORE'S REPORT - Ray Pryor
CRUISING REPORT - Don and Martha O'Grady
FALL SAILING CLASS 1997 - Cathy Young
VICTORY AT SEA (Part 2)
RACING - Al Barboza
PROGRAMS - Margie and Jim Hutchison
SOCIAL NEWS - Lora Featherston
26 FLEET NEWS - Steve Hanes
ANNUAL MEETING NOTICE
17/21/22/23/24 FLEET REPORT - Charlotte Pryor
1997 OFFICERS and BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1997 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DOOR PRIZE!
THE SALE MAKER (Classified Ads)

COMMODORE'S REPORT
Dave Taylor - Puffin' #177
(972) 317-6570

Let's see now, it's October, the temperature should be in the 70's, Fall color coming out in the trees, and strong winds blowing for sailing. Well, it's still in the 90's, the only color is the brown grass in my yard, and there is often NO wind when I get to the lake. So, is it El Nino, or just another Fall in North Texas?

Jim Hutchison was right when he announced in the last Venturing that the September program should not be missed. Though normally shy, Gus Gusler reluctantly agreed to share with us tales of his and Mae's recent adventure to New York State and the Erie Canal. Not one known to tell stories, Gus' punctilious presentation included maps, pictures and brochures from their trip by trailer and houseboat. If you were not able to attend, you missed an impressive essay on their journey.

Did anyone say racing? Our first Fall experience was sailing at zero knots for over an hour in the midday Texas sun. Race (drift) #1 should be burned in our memory. Race #2 didn't happen. Since Al was Committee Boat, I was invited to go with Gary Burton and his daughter, Sandy, in their "new" V21 and their first race. That was not a good introduction to racing, but I noticed Gary showed up for race #3.

Steve Hanes tells me the Nominating Committee has been working hard and has a slate of nominees to present to the membership at the October meeting. Please send in your proxy vote even if you might attend the November meeting. We need to insure that we have enough votes cast to make it a proper election.

It is time to buy tickets for the Christmas party. Contact Lora Featherston for details, but you are not allowed to ask about dessert.

Even though we are talking about the Christmas party, there is still a lot of sailing and club activity to go this year. Watch the calendar.

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VICE COMMODORE'S REPORT
Ray Pryor - Sassy Lassy #526
Metro (817) 481-6896
r-pryor@ti.com

Membership Update:
We have three new club memberships this month. Kim and Lon Coggeshall of Dallas and Kay and Doug Adams of Nacogdoches have M26X's, while Gary and Cindy Burton of Burleson have a V21. This brings the club to our goal of 75 memberships, tying the last two years. Kay and Doug have invited the club down to Lake Sam Rayburn, so let's hook up the trailer and go!

Changes in the Texas Boating Laws:
Effective 9/1/97, Texas requires a mandatory education course for persons born after September 1, 1984 who operate, on public water, a vessel of 10 horsepower or more or a windblown vessel more than 14 feet in length. One of the exceptions is that a person who is at least 18 years old and that has completed the course or is exempt from the course may supervise someone who has not taken the course. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department offers state certified boater education courses(1-800-792-1112) and home study courses (1-800-830-2268). Marshall McKenzie and Brad Chilcote already have their certificates. Marshall reports that it very similar to the Power Squadron course with some additions to cover PWC.

New personal watercraft (PWC) requirements include the provision that no person may operate a PWC within 50 feet of the bank, any stationary object, or any other vessel except at headway speed. Minimum age of operator of a PWC (or a powerboat with greater than 15 horsepower) is 13 years.

Law enforcement officials will adhere to a "grace period" to allow folks to become aware of the new legislation, but prudent individuals should plan now for boating in 1998. (Excerpted from the 10/02/97 edition of "The Grapevine Sun" newspaper).

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CRUISING REPORT
Don and Martha O'Grady
Metro (972) 724-1409
ogrady@ti.com

And you just thought cruising was over! First, I'd like to thank Al for the great cruise he held for us at Lake Lavon on September 20th. I know that some people called this Race #1 of the Fall season. But when the wind fell (that is, quit) and the temperature rose, most people made the best of things by gathering the boats and lounging in the water with their favorite beverage in hand. It sure looked like a cruise to me!

Now, turning things over to Martha for the season finale-We are putting together a sleepover "cruise" for the ladies at Lake Murray (about 2 hours north on I-35).

The cost of the cabin is $200.00. We'll divide this by however many of us go, so the more that go the less it will cost. Bring bedding, munchies, toiletries, games, make-over stuff and so on. We will eat out for dinner, and carry in sweet rolls or bagels or ?? for breakfast (kitchen available). The cabin has 8 beds. We can also bring cots and/or sleeping bags. So beds and floor space are first come, first serve. I need to know by Halloween. If we do not have enough people sign up by that time, we may have to cancel the outing. Call me and we can set up meeting places to carpool or caravan up there. Hope to see you there.

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I would like to thank everyone who participated in making the Fall Sailing Class a complete success. We were able to contribute $680.00 to the club from the proceeds of the class.

I would like to first and foremost thank The Rigg Shop for the continued support they give to us as sponsors for this class. From allowing us to advertise the class at their booth during the Boat Show to allowing the students to register through The Rigg Shop, we simply could not continue the success of this class without their support.

Second, a huge thanks to the boat owners who faithfully volunteer their boats and teach the students. To those people who brought their boats out, I am extremely grateful. Larry Featherston (2 days), Bobby Allen & crew Ray Pryor (2 days), Lee & Dale Howard (2 days), Al & Juanelle Barboza (2 days), Dave Taylor, Mike Kmita, Mike Jones, John & Kay Vaughan, Marshall & Carol McKenzie, J.B. Jordan, Steve & Linda Hanes, Jim & Margie Hutchison, Sam Blake & crew Steve Jagielski.

Last, a special note of thanks to Larry Featherston & John Vaughan for teaching the Friday night classroom session. Larry also gathers all the slides and projectors for the classroom session and does the certificates for the students. Kay Vaughan also helped with registration Friday night. (Thanks to Kay for remembering the liability waiver for the students!! And special thanks to Lora Featherston for bringing us the form at the last minute Friday night!!) I greatly appreciate and thank everyone for their support of other successful Fall Sailing Class!

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I got the anchor out on deck and intended to let out almost all of the 150 feet of rode, but made that critical of all mistakes for the day, I thought I'd be able to cleat it AFTER I let out some rode. As you may have already guessed, the line ran out faster than I could keep up with, and when the last 50 feet came up in one big balled up knot, I tried with all my might for what was long enough to make my whole upper body sore for days after, but eventually it ripped the line from my hands as I looked to the heavens and screamed at the top of my lungs, " ########## " !!!!!!!

This scarred the hell out of Vin who was on all fours in the cockpit trying to keep control of the tiller. He could barely make out the bow and wondered what I was doing up there in this storm and if I had gone overboard leaving him wondering what to do. Vin was no longer having a good time. So semi defeated, I tried to come up with plan "C".

I went back to the helm and figured maybe I had just enough outboard power to keep the bow into the storm. I never got a chance to find out. The motor stalled and I couldn't shift it out of gear to start it again. I tried to force it, and the remote cable snapped off the shifter lever. No problem, I said to myself, I can still shift it manually (yeah, I was talking to myself at this point), but the lever was jammed also. So now with no anchor, no motor, and not wanting to put up any canvas in this mess, I searched for plan "D".

I had a bucket that I cleated first (are you proud of me?), and then threw off the bow. I hoped it might act as a drogue and help keep us into the wind and seas and off the shore. I had no idea how close we had gotten to the shore, but I guessed it wasn't far off. I got on the VHF and radioed for help but I knew even if I raised someone, nobody was going to be able to get to us until the storm eased up some.

Finally it did, and we found ourselves about 50 yards off shore but still in sailable water. I let out some jib and got us further out from the shore, which was a good thing because within 5 minutes the storm was totally past, the sun came out, and it was so incredibly calm that it was almost like nature was laughing at us.

At this point a boat was going by in the distance. I went to signal with my portable air horn, which gave about a half a sick sounding blast before it started spewing freon on me and died. I went to my alternate which did pretty much the same thing. I was learning quite a bit that day, for instance, CHECK YOUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT MORE THAN EVERY 8 YEARS! This was the original stuff from when we first got the boat, and I never had cause to use it or even think how important it might become inside the.protected waters of our sailing grounds.

So..... I went back to the VHF, called in for a tow and began to check out the motor. It seems that one of the lines got loose, wrapped around the prop and fouled it. Once I freed it the manual shifter worked again and the motor started right up. I canceled the tow, and as we headed in we were both totally spent.

The whole thing couldn't have lasted more than a half hour, but it seemed like a lifetime out there. On the way in we didn't talk much. I told Vin he did a good job not panicking and trying to do what I was telling him. Mostly we just gazed around until we finally looked at each other and let out a whoop!! Man what a rush! I've never been so scared and so excited at the same time. I was beaten, scraped and cut up, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything (at least now that I know how it turns out). I was amazed at how many things could go wrong, yet how well the boat handled those severe conditions. She was practically on her side for a while yet never took on any solid water. It gave me a lot of confidence in the boat. I also don't think I'll be so intimidated next time. I'll just have to prepare and execute better. By the way, I now keep two anchor set ups on board...just in case.

That night I had to watch one of my favorite recent movies...........White Squall . Two lines always stick with me from that film... "Behold, the power of the wind."......and "You can't run from the wind son. All you can do is trim your sails, face the music, and keep going."

Oh...Vin called the next day. He said he heard the forecast called for strong thunderstorms and wondered if I wanted to go out. I declined.

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RACING
Alfred Barboza - Hummer #431
(972) 270-1048

The Fall Racing Series is off with a bang. The first race day was a no wind day. We tried to get the second race off, but Mother Nature had other plans for us. The wind fell off to nothing. and there was nothing to do except swim the afternoon away. Not really a bad idea. The Race Committee will re-schedule a new day for Race 2 of the series. If there are no Saturdays available for Race 2, how about a Sunday race or maybe a third short race during the regular series? Let me HEAR from the racers! Talk to me, I need INPUT.

As of this writing, the Lavon Challenge is history. For all that raced, I hope we had a good time? Remember, V/MYC will host the races for next year.

Just a word or two about the 1997 BAY VIEW CHARITY REGATTA & POKER RUN. This will be on November 7 - 9 at Lake Ray Hubbard and the proceeds will go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a worthy cause, so let's all get together for a good turnout. Registration / Welcome Party on Friday the 7th, Skippers Meeting on the 8th at 9:00 am, and first gun is at 10:20 am. $30 Regatta fee / $10 (per hand) Poker run fee. Box lunches $5 each / limited number. On Sunday the Poker Run starts at 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. If you need more information, please call me at (972) 270-1048 after 6:00 p.m. or contact many of the racers in the club, or call the Bay View Race Chairman, Mike Klein at (972) 226-1775.

Sea ya on the water.

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PROGRAMS
Margie and Jim Hutchison - #9
(972) 492-0405

First Christian Church
1835 Walnut
Carrollton, TX

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SOCIAL NEWS
Lora Featherston - Aminal #466
(972) 247-8869

Come one, come all - Join us Tuesday, October 21st, for good food (and besides, the company is not too bad, either)!

The club is furnishing brisket smoked perfectly by Larry Featherston. All you need to bring is a side dish to share. Paper goods and drinks will be furnished. So don't miss this gala event!

Also available that night will be tickets to our annual Christmas banquet. Cost is $25.00 per person, so bring your checkbook or cash. In case you have forgotten, the banquet is December 13th at the Holiday Inn, Richardson. The menu is Prime Rib or Chicken Cordon Blue. No dessert.

See you the 21st!

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26 FLEET NEWS
Steve Hanes - Miss Kitty #4976
(972) 517-5104
vmycdallas@bigplanet.com

I don't have a lot to share from the fleet this month, but would like to tell a bit about our adventure to DeGray Lake in Arkansas. Linda and I, along with Marshall and Carol McKenzie, took Miss Kitty and Big Mac to the clear waters of DeGray for 3 days at the end of September. It was our first "long distance" trip with Miss Kitty, and what a beautiful trip it was. We arrived at the lake on Saturday afternoon and took a short motor cruise across the lake to a beautiful isolated cove where we dropped Miss Kitty's anchor, tethered Big Mac along side, and tied our sterns at the edge of the shore beneath the tall pine trees. It was a beautiful quiet lagoon (see picture) in which to barbecue chicken, swim, and relax for the evening.

The morning was perfect for a relaxing breakfast of bacon and eggs before weighing anchor and motoring off to explore the lake, with Big Mac and Miss Kitty still tethered side-by-side. It was a relaxing way to explore, as first one, than the other of us would take the helm to steer from either boat while the rest of us visited as Big Mac's motor carried us down the lake to explore the dam. As the morning breezes began, we raised our mains and motorsailed awhile, still tethered and steering from either helm.

As the breezes picked up, our genoas went up, the motor was shut off and onward we sailed for the rest of the day, exploring each island and the shores up river all the while sailing first from one helm than the other as we became more adept at tacking our new MacVen "catamaran". At one point, as the winds came up to about 10 - 12 knots, we took turns straddling the two sterns and sailing with a tiller-extender in each hand. What a ride! You had to be there to appreciate the fun. Another sailboat or two appeared to be coming our way to check out this strange looking sailing contraption, but could not keep up as we turned further upwind.

The second evening was spent in another beautiful "lagoon". After dropping anchor and securing our sterns ashore, Linda commented this would be a great place to look for arrowheads and off she went exploring, while I'm thinking (but not saying) "Oh, sure." She returned empty handed only to look down behind Carol's chair and, lo and behold, found an arrowhead that had weathered the last 150 or so years in perfect condition. We spent the remainder of the evening barbecuing steaks on shore and visiting while watching the reflections of the trees, hawks, and evening sky in the glass-like waters of the cove.

We awoke on Monday morning as the sun peaked through the trees and filtered through the morning mist and fog arising from the waters of the lake.

Homemade (or is that "boat made") Breakfast Burritos made up our morning feast before motoring out into the lake for the return journey.

We continued motorsailing, tethered still from the day before, as we explored the remainder of the lake and the resort along shore. As the late morning breezes picked up, we un-tethered our boats for the first time in a day and a half so that Carol could take our first pictures we have of Miss Kitty under sail.

For those of you looking for a new lake to explore, DeGray Lake is well worth the 4-5 hour drive. The waters are clear (visibility of 10 feet or more underwater), the scenery beautiful and the lake traffic minimal. A depth finder is a helpful accessory as there are a number of shallow spots where you might least expect them.

The fleet captains met in September to complete their recommended slate of nominated officers for the November elections. The results are announced elsewhere in this issue of Venturing, along with a proxy ballot for each member to fill out and mail. Please return the ballot promptly. Our bylaws require a minimum of 30% of the votes entitled to be cast must be represented in person or by proxy to have a quorum to elect officers. If you don't mail your ballot, please make sure to attend the November meeting to vote in person.

The Venture Yacht Club, our sister club in San Diego, now is on-line with their own Internet web site. Please visit their site from the link on our home page to see some great pictures from their trip to Lake Powell as well as a frightening adventure from one of their members struck by lightning on Lake Mead.

Color images of the pictures that appear in this Venturing, and more, can now be found at our web site. Also, all of our pictures from this outing and the Labor Day Cruise will be available at the October meeting along with Linda's treasured arrowhead.

'Til next month...

Safe Sailing!!!

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The November General Membership Meeting
of the Venture/MacGregor Yacht Club will be held
November 18, 1997 at 7:30 p.m.
at the First Christian Church in Carrollton, Texas,
for the purpose of electing officers
for the calendar year 1998.

If unable to attend, please use the enclosed ballot
and vote by PROXY
to assure a quorum is available to elect officers.

The following members have been nominated:
Commodore: Ray Pryor
Vice Commodore: Ed Kremer
Secretary: Jennie Taylor
Treasurer: Bobby Allen

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17/21/22/23/24 FLEET REPORT
Charlotte Pryor - Sassy Lassy #526
Metro (817) 481-6896
cdpryor@aol.com

This month's Birthday Wishes go out to Judy Bracken on 10/28 and Ray Pryor 10/22! Also belated birthday wishes to new member Gary Burton 9/24!

Activities to be aware of this month are the continuing Fall Series with Races 3 & 4 on the 4th and Races 5 & 6 on the 18th. Bring your favorite dish to share at the Pot Luck Dinner at this month's meeting. The Christmas Party is coming up on December 13! Purchase your tickets from Lora Featherston.

The fleet is growing! Please welcome new 21' members Cindy and Gary Burton from Burleson. This brings our fleet up to 12: (1) 17', (4) 21', (2) 22' and (5) 24'.

Great News! Ray and I will be leaving for Maui at the end of the month! Thanks to Delta Airlines we are getting one free round trip air fare and have rented a condo on Kaanapali Beach for seven days. We are looking forward to palm trees, beaches and strawberry daiquiris!

For those of you who did not make the September meeting, you missed a great program by our own Gus Gusler on his and Mae's recent trip up the Erie Canal and also to New York. He even provided us with pictures! I'm looking forward to another program by Gus in the near future.

Your Nomination Committee has been hard at work. After contacting members of the fleets, we have come up with a number of people interested in serving on the Board of Directors. We need your help by casting your vote at the November meeting, or if you cannot make the meeting. please mail in the enclosed proxy. New fleet captains will also be selected at the November meeting. So if you do not wish to be volunteered for that job, attend the meeting and defend yourself! If you are interested in being a Fleet Captain, please attend the November meeting and let your wishes be known. Either way, we do need a majority in attendance, so show your support and plan to attend the November meeting. You won't be disappointed.

You know you are no longer a kid when...
...Just one peanut butter and jelly sandwich doesn't do it any more.
...Driving a car doesn't always sound like fun.
...The average ten-year-old doesn't have a clue who Bo and Luke Duke are.
...Being bad is no longer cool.
...You have friends who have kids.
...Saturday mornings are for sleeping.
...You are taller than the slide at the McDonald's playland.
...Your parents' jokes are now funny.
...You have once said, "Whatch-you talkin' 'bout Willis?"
...You have owned, and since disowned Michael Jackson's Thriller.
...Two words: parachute pants
...Naps are good.
...Hitting girls is no longer considered flirting.
...You have once deemed Space Invaders as "The best game ever".
...When things go wrong, you can't just yell, "Do-over!"
...You actually buy scarves, gloves, and sunscreen.
...You leave concerts and ballgames early to beat the crowd.
...You don't want a Camaro because of the insurance premiums.
...You've bought an album on vinyl.
...You remember seeing Star Wars when it first came out.
...You look in the surveillance camera monitor at the convenience store, wonder who that guy is standing at the counter with the bald spot, and then realize it is a shot of you from behind.

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How would you like to have an extra
$10.00 or MORE???!!!
At each membership meeting,
all members' names will be placed in a hat,
and one will be selected to win the prize.
But, You must be present to win!!!
If the member drawn is not present, $10.00 will be added to
the pot and left to accumulate meeting after meeting
until we have a winner!!!
There was no winner
at the September meeting,
making a total of $30.00 available for the October meeting!

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THE SALE MAKER

Classified Ads are FREE to members. To place an ad, call the Venturing Editors. (972) 271-5073

FOR SALE: 1976 Venture 222
Loaded! Price Negotiable
Call Mike Jones
(972) 271-6110

FOR SALE:1985 MacGregor 25
Good Condition - Needs a little t.l.c.
New Honda 5 h.p. outboard, just tuned.
All original equipment plus little extras.
Trailer being rebuilt. $5,000 o.b.o.
Call for details - Richard Sanford
Home (281) 585-9886
Work (713) 526-8900 ext. 129
eMail rich@infomgt.com

ADS WANTED: Do you have sailing related products for sale or trade? Do you have a sail to sell? Do you need crew? Do you want to crew? Are you a member? If so, you can advertise right here for free!

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© Copyright 1997 Steven J. Hanes, All Rights Reserved