Fleetsheet Archive
September 2017
TAKE A LOOP!
Cruising the Great Loop is on many a boater’s bucket list. A continuous waterway that encompasses the eastern portion of North America including the Atlantic and Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, the New York State Canals, the Great Lakes, the Canadian Heritage Canals and the inland rivers of America’s heartland, the Great Loop is often described as the adventure of a lifetime. Our September Program features a Lake Michigan boater and his adventures on the Great Loop route.
John Simons is a long time boater on Lake Michigan. He has his USCG Masters License – 100 ton. As the owner of the Pearson 39 sailboat Blue Heaven, he has completed 15 Races to Mackinac and cruised the North Chanel. As the co-owner of the Cruisers 4450 Motor Yacht Changing Latitudes, he and his wife Priscilla completed a 6,500 mile circumnavigation of America’s Great Loop in September 2016. Most recently they have sailed from Miami to Havana, Cuba and then to Montego Bay, Jamaica on the Island Packet 48 named Pilar. John has created a special presentation documenting his Great Loop Adventures and looks forward to encouraging you to cast off your dock lines and follow your dreams!
This special program is Tuesday, September 19 at the Burnham Park Yacht Club, 1500 S. Linn White Drive. Have cocktails and dinner at the club beginning at 5pm. Reservations are a must: 312-427-4664. Tell the Club that you are a member of Catalina Fleet 21. The program begins at 7pm. We will have a brief business meeting after the program where next year’s slate of officers will be presented. We will also accept nominations from the floor.
Welcome aboard to new members:
Skipper: Sean O’Meara
First Mate: Maria Andrianos
Boat Name: Destiny Size: 30 Harbor: Michigan City Mooring 873 Sail #: 1519
A MESSAGE FROM THE
COMMODORE
We are coming to the last leg of the 2017 boating season. I hope everyone’s season was as enjoyable as mine. Vice Commodore John Jackiw and I crewed on fleet member Bob Garrett’s Catalina 30 TR, Intention in the Catalina 30 North American Championship Race. This Regatta was held at Columbia Yacht Club with daily racing over the weekend of July 7-9, 2017. We had beautiful weather and wind the entire weekend. We took a consistent 2nd place in all of races held throughout the weekend. This is Bob’s 2nd year of racing in which he has been very competitive.
Fleet member Pat Reynolds raced his Catalina 320 Karlizmaddi in the Leukemia Cup Regatta held August 29, 2017 also held at Columbia Yacht Club. Pat finished 2nd in this Regatta. I had the opportunity to also race in this Regatta as well as the 2017 Chicago to Mackinac Island Regatta hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club. I crewed on John Boles yacht, Mirage, in the Cruising Division. We had strong winds and big seas for this race. There were approximately 300 boats to start this race of which a record 97 boats dropped out before reaching Mackinac Island. This was an exceptionally challenging race in which the U.S. Coast Guard had to rescue 4 participants of a capsized boat. Also on another participant’s boat, a crew member fell over board and it took over an hour to locate that crew member in the strong winds and high seas. Other than a few minor injuries to some participants, there was no loss of life in this race. We finished 3rd place in our division for the Mackinac Race.
As I previously mentioned, I have had an enjoyable season being on and about the water with my boating community of friends. By far, some of the most enjoyable times has been during our Fleet outings. We all had a great time on August 12th at the Hammond Marina for the Shrimp Boil. This outing was hosted by Fleet member Larry Meekma. This was another well attended event, thank you, Larry. The Labor Day Lobster Fest was a multiple day event hosted by Fleet members in Michigan City, Indiana. This was an awesome event as well. There were approximately 50 huge lobsters served Saturday on the 800 Dock in the Marina where Catalina Fleet members have numerous slips. We ate, drank and socialized well into the night on Saturday.
Sheila and I stayed over in Michigan City for the Sunday activities which included the Dingy Poker Run and the Tour de Boats. We had water guns on board the dinghies and I truly enjoyed trading water blasts between dinghies. The weather was great for the entire outing. In regards to Tour de Boats, it is always a pleasure to see the creative ways that our members arrange their boats. I always come away with new ideas from Tour de Boats. I would like to thank Ted/Francine Kuenzli and Branson/Danita Stone for all their work put into making the Michigan City Lobster Fest a success.
Let’s mark our calendars for our final two Fleet events. On September 23 we have the Jackson Park Outer Harbor Clam Bake. John Jackiw is coordinating and will be taking reservation for this event up until September 20th at 708.828.4318. Then on November 11th, our final fleet event will be the Awards Banquet at Palos Country Club. Hope to see everyone at both of these!
Capt. Jim Caldwell
Commodore Catalina Fleet 21
OUTINGS
Shrimp Boil August 12
Reported by Dave DeAre
The Shrimp Boil Outing on August 12 was a resounding success! The new private venue at Hammond Marina not only was a great place for the Shrimp Boil, but slips were readily available and parking was free! Chef Larry Meekma cooked up a tasty dinner for over 50 Fleet Members and friends. A good time was had by all. Thanks to Pat Reynolds for securing this new and fabulous location and a standing ovation to Larry Meekma and helpers. One of the best outings ever!
4th Annual Lobster Fest – Michigan City
September 2
Reported by Branson Stone
Ted and I were up and at the local store (Al’s) at 6:45 am to pick up 68 whole, freshly steamed Maine Lobsters, 20 for friends on the dock and 48 for Fleet
21. Every year the outing gets bigger. This year we had a great turn out, with 24 Fleet boats represented. The sides contributed were abundant and very tasty.
We had good weather until after 8 pm, which worked out great as the event was just wrapping up when the rain started. On Sunday, we had Tour de Boat, three rounds with 8 different host boats, and judging on the comments, this will continue to be part of our Labor Day outing. Ted, Francine, Danita and I want to thank everyone who came, and all of those who helped. Without you, we could not make this outing the great event that it is!
BANQUET
Annual Awards Banquet – Saturday, November 11, 2017
6:30 p.m. – Midnight
The sailing season is coming to a close and what better way to end the season than by joining your fellow sailors for an evening of great food, drink, dancing and camaraderie.
We again have the Club Room and Private Bar Lounge reserved at Palos Country Club for this wonderful event. The country club is conveniently located at 131st and Southwest Highway in Orland Park.
The cost is $65 per person and includes a bevy of delights . . . . full open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, elegant three-course dinner with wine and choice of entrée, awards presentation, terrific door prizes and delightful music by Afterglow.
Watch for your formal invitation and reservation form in the October Fleet Sheet. Your Awards Banquet Committee, Madalyn Duerr, Mickie & Bill Thompson.
Questions? Contact Madalyn at 708-429-0005 or madalynduerr@hotmail.com
Looking for donations for our raffle being held during our annual banquet on November 11. Gift baskets or any other gift items are welcome. And they don’t have to be nautical, just new and suitable for a raffle. For more information or to donate, please contact Mickie Thompson, mickiet@sbcglobal.net, or 630/995-1194