Whisper Pole - October 2003

Thank you to all who contributed articles, content and publishing expertise - Paul Chandler, Ed Young, Robert MacDonald (photos), Ann White - to this issue of the Whisper Pole. Send comments, suggestions and contributions to the Whisper Pole to news@sailtoronto.com

S.O.S.
Save Our Woodstove!

Sorry mate! It seems our wood stove is destined for the chopping block. Insurance companies hate em!

We (The exec and notably Past Commodore, Melody) have done our best to pull the bunny out the hat on this one but we've been red-flagged and instructed by our insurance company in no uncertain terms that if we want to keep our buildings and contents policy (Try over $35,000 worth of sails for one good reason) then the wood stove has got to go.

From talking with members it would seem the whole club is unanimous that an effort should be made to keep the wood stove by hook or by crook, so here's the background and what we plan to do:-

There is an umbrella policy in place, a sort of blanket insurance for all the community sailing clubs renting from the Toronto Port Authority held and maintained by the OHSF providing liability cover, so what we are really looking for is just a buildings and contents policy. The clubhouse is arguably worth insuring but it's the value of the sails that are the real concern so we may try and find cover for the OSA sail locker alone and not insure the clubhouse. Boats are protected under separate cover.

I believe some of the other clubs have opted out of this insurance rip-off to keep their stove but we don't want to do this here at J-town. There is of course a choice for an alternate heating fuel such as Hydro or propane, but it would be costly to install and doubtless costly to operate. So I am proposing we take a back step here, un-hook the stove which will keep the parasites happy, and then we can take time to check around, I am sure there are other options left unexplored.

But here we are, winter round the corner and unfortunately for the interim I have to remove our only real heat source. I am truly sorry for this but as it stands it's probably the best thing to do until we get sorted, we really have little choice.

Lastly as always, if you have suggestions, comments, anything constructive at all then PLEASE call, we welcome all the input and tips we can get. It’s your club!

Thanks
Paul Chandler

Intro to Have Fun But ....

On two occassions this fall White Sailors with guests capsized in the outer harbour and ended up on the rocks. Fortunately no one was hurt however these incidents did cause considerable damage to two Albacores (see pictures on left).

As a consequence of these events, many in the club have questioned how our White Sailors assess their ability to handle windy conditions. In response Ed Young, Vice Commodore in charge of education in 2004, has provided the following article. It will be posted as a White Sail resource on the website.

So here you are: You’ve just completed White Sail III, it’s a beautiful windy day and you’d like to share the joys of sailing with a friend. Maybe it’s a friend who says they’ve sailed before, and you are eager to demonstrate your newly developed sailing skills. You meet your friend at the club and he’s eager to get out for some extreme Aussie-style sailing. Not wanting to disappoint, you rig a boat and depart from the dock.

This seems like a great scenario, but already you’ve made a few mistakes. First, you underestimated the importance of a competent crew in dingy sailing. Second, you assumed your friend’s sailing experience was similar to your own. It fact, his sailing experience consists of being a passenger on a keel boat. Kind of like riding a bus and saying you have driving experience. Third, you forgot that White Sail III qualifies you to sail in 9 knot of wind inside the Outer Harbour.

I’m not trying to be all doom and gloom here, but as the wind builds, the importance of having a competent crew, as well as a competent helm greatly increases. Going sailing in stronger wind with a person who has not capsized and righted an ALBACORE is not a good idea. We sometimes forget that in 30 km/h winds, the lake is an entirely different beast than in 20 km/h. Wind force increase by the square of the velocity. Simply put, 20 km/h exerts four times the force on an object as does 10 km/h.

So, what does this mean to you? If you have just completed White Sail III, give yourself lots of credit. It is a significant accomplishment to reach that level of proficiency in such a short time. It’s also important to know your limits and understand the role that teamwork plays.

2. Ask an experience sailor, preferably a Friday Night Helm, for their input. They can probably give you some insight as to the strength of the wind.

3. Develop your heavy wind skills. This can be achieved by taking Bronze IV, participating in Monday Night Advanced Sailing and Racing sessions, or just by sailing with experience sailors.

4. Capsize at least once a year. If you have not capsized in 12 months, it’s not a good idea to take a guest sailing. If you’re sailing with a guest, your boat-righting skills have got to be beyond proficient. This probably means 10 or 20 successful capsized and rightings without assistance.

5. Use your judgement. Remember that boat damage costs your club a lot of money. If you’re wondering whether you can handle the conditions, you may be able to with another club member, but probably won’t be able to with a guest as your crew.

Ed Young
Vice Commodore
St. James Town Sailing Club
edyoung@sympatico.ca

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The docks are out, boats flipped over, club scrubbed and packed away but a slow hum of activity still continues at J-town throughout the winter months. Every day Kirk McGregor visits to club to feed the cats, pat the Albacores and surveys boats still in the club infirmary. Yes, even in the depths of winter our more dedicated boat captains undertake those nagging overdue repairs and cosmetic touches to hulls that take low priority in the summer.

This winter, there is a search on for a suitable indoor space where club members can work on boats. If you know of a place to rent please contact Rebecca Eagen, Race Chair and if you wish to help with boat repair, contact, Paul Chandler, Fleet Captain.

Once a month the club executive meets to plan and organize the next sailing season. Wintertime executive activity peaks in January when the budget meeting is held, program priorities are set, membership fees are struck and member recruitment for the new season begins.

The first major member recruitment event is the Toronto Boat show in January. Each year the Canadian Albacore Association rents a booth at the show. Each club provides members on a rotating basis to attend the booth who get in for free. If you wish to help with the booth please contact Sandra Mitchell, Membership Chair.

The Whisper Pole continues to be published over the winter and periodic email updates are sent out by email. Anyone who wishes to contribute stories to the Whisper Pole or help out in club communications is urged to contact, Ann White, Communications Chair, news@sailtoronto.com

J-town also organizes social events over the winter including the Christmas Party, the Polar Bear swim (always well attended!) and Skating Parties when the harbour freezes over. Last year the skating at the club was spectacular and many members came down on their own as well as on Party days to skate (Please watch for ice reports).

Here are the dates for the main J-town winter events.

Christmas Party - December 6, 2003
Polar Bear Swim - January 1, 2004
Toronto Boat Show - January 15, 2004 (approx.)
Skating Party - Early February

In the way of low key activities, a great way to spend a winter afternoon is to park at the club, walk to Leslie St. spit and see the amazing cross section of water fowl who winter in the Toronto area.

J-town is your club in the winter as well as the summer .. enjoy.

Ann White
Communications Chair
news@sailtoronto.com

** If you want contact a club member email please request it by emailing news@sailtoronto.com **