Contact a club officer or Mike Koss if you're interested in joining in, wish to crew, need crew, etc.
If you have not sailed the Apostle Islands, joining a fleet provides safety in numbers. The 2009 Door County cruise was great fun for new cruising sailors and experienced alike, so clear your calendar and get your boat ready!
Windjamming on the Lewis R. French (by Jim Force)
If you’re into nautical history and don’t mind roughing it, a sail on the 101-foot long windjammer Lewis R. French might be worth a try.
Boo and I booked passage on a five-day cruise out of the French’s home port of Camden, Maine, in early October. Despite cool temps and one rainy day, we really enjoyed the boat, the crew, the 18 other passengers, the delicious and hearty meals and most of all the archipelago of islands that seem s to stretch forever into the Atlantic.
Built in 1871, the French is on the National Historic Register and is the oldest windjammer still sailing in America. A square-rigged schooner, she carries two or three headsails, a foresail, main and top sail—300 square feet if sail in all.. In dead calms, she’s pushed by an 85-horse motor situated in her yawl boat. Captain Garth Wells, mid-30s, is a bright, engaging skipper supported by a young crew consisting of cook, mate, and all-around go-fer.
The passengers can help with tasks if they want to. Boo and I washed dishes in the cozy wood-stoved galley several times, helped haul sails, took turns at the helm, and did one laborious turn on the old manual windlass which raises the anchor. Our cabin was tiny, and as advised, we each brought a small duffle bag with the bare minimum of clothes and necessities. We slept well, and arose each morning with the rising sun pushing dawn’s light through a small porthole and the smell of fresh coffee on deck.
Camaraderie among the passengers was unbelievable. We made fast friends with an editor from Chicago, a teacher from St. Louis, a real-estate developer from Miami, a retired plumber from Altoona, and others. We shared stories during the breezy afternoons and at the never-ending Yahtzee game in the galley after supper. Contrast that to traveling by plane these days!
Cruises range from 4 to 6 days, and prices (not including discounts) run from around $600 to $800 per person.
www.schoonerfrench.com
10/7/09
The Poker Cruise was a great success with six boats attending.
Participating were:
Russ and Tammy Hessler, Catalina 22
Mike and Sara
Koss, Catalina 22
Joe and Tristin Terry, MacGregor 26
Dennis Gamble, Butterfly
John Volrath and Larry Sipiorski, Precision 18
Chuck Jagodinski and Rich Barker, Johnson 18 Weekender
The weather was questionable, but the eager sailors brought their foul weather gear and had a great time.
This scavenger hunt began when sailors rendezvoused with Chuck to get a lake map indicating the general location of the buoys. The buoys were custom made flotation devices with a red flag which had playing cards attached. The goal was to find all the buoys and take a card.
The winds were light, but enough to have a lot of fun. There was an occational sprinkle, but not enough to dampen the high spirits of the sailors. There was some general excitement by those listening to the Badger football game when they won the axe from Minnesota for the 6th conseutive time!
At the end of the day, the boats were parked, sails folded, and the sailors then met at Saloon DuBay for dinner and to review who had the best hand. Sailors brought gifts and the best poker hand would pick the first gift, etc. John Volrath had the best hand with three of a kind 6's.
After a few hours of eating and socializing, everyone decided to call it an evening. WHAT GREAT FUN!
Thanks again, Chuck, for organizing this fantastic cruising/social event.
8/9/09
Hello Everyone;
Mark your calendar and get your boat and crew ready for the 4th annual Poker Cruise on beautiful Lake DuBay.
The Poker Cruise will take place on September 12th after the morning races conclude (about 1:00 PM). Skippers and Crew who wish to take part in the card pick/gift exchange need to bring a gift valued between $5.00 and $10.00 and, pre-register with Chuck Jagodinski.
It is important to pre-register because there will be a limited number of cards that can be placed on each buoy.
The Cruise will begin at the Consolidated landing (the one nearest the Boatyard). After receiving their instructions and map, Sailors will pilot their boats up the channel to the Hwy 34 bridge; locating the five buoys, and taking one card per registered participant from each buoy. Sailors will then return to the landing; put away their boats; and report to a nearby restaurant (to be determined later) for a club social at about 6:00 PM where cards will be revealed, and gifts and stories will be exchanged.
Everyone is encouraged to get out on the water and enjoy this great event. This maybe a great time to introduce non-sailors to the sport of Sailing. If you can not make the whole event, come out for any part of it - just for the fellowship.
Those wishing to take part in the card pick/gift exchange need to pre-register with Chuck Jagodinski at: cjagod@aol.com or by calling him at 443-2791 or: 297-2791 so that you can be assured that there will be cards for you and your crew at the buoys.
Chuck Jagodinski
8/2/09
After a safe return from the Door County Cruising adventure, the sailors are still talking about their exciting adventures! Four LDBSA boats attended. Some photos are on the photo page (from Joe and Tristin Terry) and more photos and stories should be forthcoming. There is already talk about trying to put together another adventure yet this year!
7/15/09
Sturgeon Bay Cruise, July 30 - August 2
Update - July 15!
Ahoy Cruising Sailors. Mike Koss is planning this summers cruise and to date, three boats are signed up:
Mike/Chuck - Catalina 22
Terry Family - Magregor 26
Bill and Barb Bergstresser - O'day 17
Larry Sipiorski - MacGregor 19
We will splash at 12:00 noon, Thursday, July 30, 2009 at FISH CREEK. The advantage is that there is a nice cruising area, such as Ellison Bay, Sister Bay, Ephraim, Peninsula Bay State Park, Fish Creek, (all of which have copious services available if needed) and Chambers Island are all with reach, all to prevailing weather, which makes it more likely that we get back to Fish Creek when we want to be. Also, Washington Island, Detroit Harbor are in easy reach. This would also for sure be more picturesque than Sturgeon Bay. (sorry Sturgeon Bay, nothing personal).
Contact Mike Koss if you're going or have any questions by clicking Mike's name or calling 715-359-4890
9/13/08
Hello Everyone;
Due to the inclement weather, the Poker cruise scheduled for September 13 was postponed. The Poker cruise has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 28. There will be a skippers meeting at 12:00 noon where maps and instructions will be given out. We will be on the water no later than 5:00 PM at which time we will put our boats away and report to the Stage stop restaurant about 6:00 PM. I still have everyone's reservations; please let me know what changes (if any) there are to your reservations. If you need to contact me on the day of the event, call me on my cell phone.
My contact information is:
e-mail: cjagod@aol.com
Home phone: 715-443-2791
Cell phone: 715-297-2791
See you on the water
Chuck Jagodinski