V1N4
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FROM THE NAV STATION
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I'll bet you wonder where I've been, eh? I believe that I've got an excuse that is valid ESPECIALLY with this group -- I've been working on the boat!! I think I may have been a bit too aggressive with my projects this year. Last fall (when I pulled the boat out) I decided to also pull the engine (Atomic-4) and have it rebuilt over the winter. Then, with my engine compartment vacant, I decided that it would be a perfect time to paint it. But if I really wanted to do it right, I knew that the paint job would look better if I pulled miscellaneous junk from the compartment prior to painting. Unfortunately for me, "miscellaneous junk" meant pulling the wires out of the compartment. At this time, the painting is done, but those little wires sure do take a long time. "Does the green wire go to the depth sounder or the ignition switch?" "Or does it even matter?" Man! I still have a lot of work to do! My launch date is May 5!!
At our GLSS Spring Open House, Wally McMinn gave a terrific "how to" guide for getting your first GLSS Solo under your belt. One of the emphatic points was to "get out and do your qualifying solo"! Don't put it off to the last minute. The GLSS will not accept your 100-mile solo if it was done within 5 days of the Solo Challenge Start date. Too many things get in the way of this important commitment. Leave your pager at home! Plan for it and do it. If you happen to be in (or near) Saginaw Bay on Memorial Day weekend, Bay City Yacht Club sponsors a "100-Mile Race". The purpose of the race is to offer an event to earn the qualification for the DSA's Doublehanded Challenge or the GLSS's Solo Challenge. If you are interested, let me know and I'll get you more information.
IN THE NEWS
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We have a couple of GLSS members in the news lately... I heard that Andrew Piotrowski is in this month's Latitude 38 magazine. He was in the 2001 Pineapple Cup Race in February. And Cheryl Cameron has entered the Bermuda 1-2 with her Nelson Marek 40. (The Bermuda 1-2 is a singlehanded race from Newport to Bermuda, then a doublehand race for the return trip.) The group has a terrific Website which has frequent updates -- even through the course of the event. Check it out at: http://www.newportyachtclub.org/bermuda1-2/
BOTTOM PAINT POLL
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About a month ago, I asked what kind of bottom paint you use. I explained that I would post the results of this scientific poll. The most accurate information that I have is that it appears that only about 12% of you made it far enough through the RODE SHOW to see the question! In other words, I received only 10 responses out of 85 requests:
Here's some of the true scoop right out of the mail bag:
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From: Wally400
Hi Pat, I use Micron CSC, The guy said I wouldn't have to paint again for 10 years. Just drink beer and watch everyone else work. Also bought his "no scrub" deck soap, just pour on and wait for the
rain.
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Wally!! That sounds great!! Keep me posted with new products from the Micron guy! Do you think he has something that I can put on my lawn? I'd love to apply 'something' once, then not touch it
for ten years!! How about Micron brand dental floss?
Nuge
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From: kthoma47
I use Johnson & Johnson's Baby Talc on my bottom.
NO!~ Wait.... oh yeah THAT bottom. Ahhh VC-17.
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Whew!! You had me going there, Kim... How about I simply stick to the facts for my straightforward and credible response: "I can't remember looking at your bottom!"
Nuge
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From: dogiespal
I use VC17 with an overspray of a secret agent for help in light air. It makes the bottom of my boat so slippery that Brennan's had a very hard time keeping it in the slings.
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C'mon, Big Al!!! We're all friends here!! I don't keep secrets from you!!
Tell me. Tell me. Tell me!!! What's the secret agent??? Flea & tick powder?
Nuge
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Of the 10 responses I received with the bottom paint inquiry, 7 use VC-17, and the remaining use Micron CSC, West Marine ablative stuff and Awlstar.
Now that's the true scoop.
OPEN HOUSE REPORT
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The March 28, 2001 GLSS Open House had an attendance of 40 people comprised of 13 members and 27 guests. Two guests traveled from East Aurora, NY, and another from Chicago, IL. It's encouraging that word of the GLSS is spreading and sparking interest beyond the shorelines of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. Wally McMinn and Mike Mahar (new members who did their first Big Mac in June 2000) spoke about their experience.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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June 17, 2001
Last day to complete your qualifying solo passage of 100 miles lasting at least 24 hours.
Annual Mackinaw Solo Challenge
Starting from Chicago & Port Huron
June 23 -- Saturday
Respectfully yours,
Patrick Nugent