PYC Flotilla to the Bahamas was a Great Success

Forty PYC members and friends sailed in the Bahamas after crossing the Gulf Stream from Ft. Lauderdale at the end of November. To accommodate this big group five catamarans were chartered and five club members skippered these boats (Tom Noll, Ricardo Oben, Neal Barkley, Matt Gatewood, and John Anderson). It was a great trip. The group agreed "if you didn’t have fun on this trip you just can’t have fun". Ricardo Oben was heard to say “My face hurts. Why?  From smiling and laughing for a solid week.” More here

Photo by Matt Gatewood

Join the discussion!

Our newsletter is now online and the format is interactive! You can actually start or join a discussion with other PYC members. It's like having our own Facebook! Come take a look at PYCnews.com.

Winter is here and it's freezing at PYC

By Bruce Liesse, Communications Director

I was at the club this weekend and pulled my boat. To my surprise when I arrived at the slip I found my cockpit drains clogged and my cockpit half-full of, not water, but ICE! Fortunately the day warmed somewhat and I was able to scoop out the ice, clear the drains, empty the water from my cockpit, and pull my boat.

I'm letting you know about this experience as a reminder. If your boat is still at PYC there are some important things to keep in mind.

If you plan to pull your boat from the lake you should do it as soon as possible. The extra courtesy dock at the east (lake) side will be removed next weekend (December 10 or 11, depending on the weather). Of course the ramp will remain but the extra dock makes it much easier to pull your boat.

If you have a boat de-icer (or "bubbler") there are two important rules to follow in using it. (1) It must be plugged into your 30-amp outlet, either directly at the dock or into one of your boat's outlets. (2) It must be on a thermostat switch and set to turn on only when the air temperature is below freezing (30 degrees or lower). When either of these rules are violated the club must unplug your bubbler so it doesn't overload our service.

Your boat should be winterized by now. If you have an inboard engine your fresh water engine cooling system should be flushed out with RV antifreeze (the pink nontoxic stuff). If you have an outboard engine it's best to remove it from your boat and store it in your garage or a place where temperatures are not freezing. Your closed water engine cooling system should have adequate automotive antifreeze. If you have any plumbing onboard, including a water tank, heater, waste water storage, etc., they should be drained and RV antifreeze should be added to protect your plumbing systems. Any stored liquids (beverages, cleaning fluids, etc.) should be removed so they don't freeze and burst their containers.

Visit your boat several times during the winter. Freezing temperatures and heavy winds can be hard on a boat. If you catch a problem early, when it's still a small problem, you can keep it from becoming a big problem (e.g., when a furler starts to unfurl or your boat cover starts to fly away during heavy winds). You and your boat will appreciate each other during winter visits so don't miss out on the opportunity for off-season bonding.

Anyone who has been at PYC during the winter knows how spectacularly beautiful our property becomes, especially when the lake is frozen and everything is snow-covered. Take care of your boat and take advantage of the beauty of our club this winter. You might even get lucky and meet up with some of your PYC friends during your visit.

Commodore's Corner

By Mij Frierson, s/v Let It Breeze

The New Years festivities have come and gone. I hope your holidays were safe and fun. Winter has been kind to us so far. As I write this I am listening to a thunder storm in the middle of January, not our usual snow storm.

As we move into 2012 there are many things to keep in mind for the upcoming sailing season. By now you should have received your membership packet. Please be sure to send in your application with either the deposit or the full amount of your 2012 dues. If you haven't received your packet or you have membership questions please contact our Assistant Treasurer, Doug McCall, who will be happy to help you out (with the application, that is).

The annual winter membership meeting is quickly approaching. It will take place on Saturday, March 3 from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Shawnee Civic Center (the same location as last year). As always we'll share in a potluck meal at noon so please be sure to bring your favorite covered dish to share. PYC will provide the beverages. The actual membership meeting starts at 1:00 p.m. I hope to see you there.

Before you know it Spring will be here and it will be time for club opening (mark your calendar for Saturday, April 14). That's when the fun begins! In the meantime, if you have a boat in the water be sure to go out to the club and check on it occasionally. Even in a mild winter you never know what the wind and waves will do to the dock lines securing your boat.

I look forward to seeing you at the membership meeting on March 3, at the club on April 14, and then (not soon enough) on the water this season.

PYC Members have official role at the America's Cup World Series

Six PYC members (Rich and Brandi Wells, Earl and Barb Cameron, Bruce and Cathy Liese) spent five days, November 16-20, in San Diego at the America's Cup World Series. They were responsible for one of only twelve stakeboats marking course boundaries.  Each day they were assigned a different position, close enough to see AC crews hard at work beating, reaching, running, rounding marks, passing other boats, being passed, and eventually winning and losing. Some great pictures and video from their trip can be found here: photos (by Rich Wells) and videos (by Bruce Liese).

Sailin' Sisters Seminars

Again this year, PYC Sailin' Sisters will hold monthly classes during the winter to help get you through the off-season. All women, regardless of their level of experience, are invited to join us and learn skills to become a better, safer sailor. For details, please click here.

Your 2012 PYC board

Here is a list of your PYC board members for 2012:

• Commodore: Mij Frierson
• Vice Commodore: Mike Webb
• Rear Commodore: Matt Gatewood
• Secretary: Nancy Frierson
• Treasurer: Rich Wells
• Dock Master: Lee Cline
• Sail Education: Jim North
• Buildings and Grounds: Penny Morgan
• Communications Director: Bruce Liese
• Harbor Master: John Anderson
• Assistant Treasurer: Doug McCall
• Social Co-Directors: Lisa Hockenberg and Shirley Cline
• Yearbook Editor: Jean Dodd
• Past Commodore: Monroe Dodd