-
WAUKEELOG Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron, a Unit of the
United States Power Squadrons District 20 Promoting Safe Sail and
Power Boating
Published Six Times per Year www.wspsboating.org
Dec 2010-
Jan 2011
Coming Events
7 Dec 1900 WYC First Tuesday Seminar
Choosing Hi-Tech Lines
12 Dec 1300-1800 Richmond Commanders Open House
11 Jan 1900 Excom
TBD
12-16 Jan Chicago Boat/RV Show, McCormick
15 Jan 1800 Philly Gs
Change of Watch
27 Jan 1900 CLC Americas Boating Starts
27-30 Jan
Strictly Sail, Navy Pier
1 Feb 1900 WYC First Tuesday Seminar TBA
1-6 Feb, Orlando
National Conference
COMMANDERS COMMENTS
CDR. MIKE LUDTKE, N
November was a busy month. With the help of the bridge officers
and a few others, I had the privilege of compiling and submitting
the merit mark recommendations for 2010. If you are not familiar
with the merit mark system, it is recognition, granted by the USPS
chief commander, for members that gave substantial personal effort
to the squadron during the past year. As a volunteer organization,
we work for no pay, and a merit mark is the only official
recognition a member may receive. Members may only receive one
merit mark per calendar year. After you receive five merit marks,
youre considered a senior member and after being awarded your 25th
merit mark, youre given the status of life member. Once the chief
commander approves the recommendations, probably after the 1st of
the year, members who have been approved will receive notification
from National and well print the complete list in an upcoming issue
of the Waukeelog. On Sunday, 12 December from 1300-1800, Ellen
& I will be hosting an open house for the squadron. Hopefully
youll find some time to stop by and help us celebrate the holiday
season and the success of the squadron this past year. Look for
details elsewhere in the newsletter. During 2010 our squadron has
done a terrific job providing education to our members and the
public through our classes, seminars and public service, such as
vessel safety check, used equipment sale and flare shoot. We had
some pretty good cruises and parties along the way too, although
some events were a bit more exciting than expected. Thanks again to
everyone that helped make it happen and I look forward to working
with all of you in 2011. MikeMikeMikeMike
In this Issue Commanders Notes SEO Comments XO Comments AO
Comments Major Upcoming Events Birthdays Cool Web Sites Editor:
Notes Support our sponsors The First Aircraft Carrier WSPS Photo
Gallery 2011 Bridge Slate
Commanders Holiday Open House!! We hope you can join us for some
Holiday Cheer at the Commanders Holiday Open House Where: Ludtkes,
11419 Zarnstorff Rd, Richmond, IL When: Sunday, December 12, 1:00
6:00 PM Please RSVP by Saturday, December 4th to Ellen:
[email protected] or 815-245-0888
-
WSPS Officers Commander Cdr. Michael Ludtke N 815-678-4300 Nov
Executive Officer Lt/C Sheldon Wecker P 847-367-0012
[email protected] Educational Officer Lt/C Tom Parkinson JN
847-223-8076 [email protected] Administrative Officer Lt/C
Elisabeth A. Geltz, JN 847-433-0288 [email protected] Treasurer
Lt/C Tenney Ford S 262-222-3083 [email protected]
Secretary Lt/C Jan Guthrie, S 847-338-8808 [email protected]
Waukeelog Editor Bob Kunath, JN 847-540-8175
[email protected]
For those of us in the soon-to-be frozen north we will be
missing what Walt Whitman expressed. O to sail in a ship! To leave
this steady unendurable land, To leave the tiresome sameness of the
streets, the sidewalks and the houses, To leave you O you solid
motionless land, and entering a ship, To sail and sail and sail!
Even those last connections to the water - the fall classes - are
winding up. The exams have been taken for Engine Maintenance and
Marine Communication Systems. Even the Advanced Piloting class is
nearing completion with the cruise, followed by that great
take-home, open book exam. The results will be announced on the
squadron web page http://www.wspsboating.org/ . Jeff Geltz had a
first by teaching both local and remote students for Engine
Maintenance. He must have had a good time because he is already
searching EBay for an engine to use as demonstrations in a future
class. The fall series of seminars at Waukegan Yacht Club (first
Tuesday of the month) continued in October with Jan Guthrie
presenting Sail and Rig Tuning with a huge attendance. This was
followed in November by Rex Miller with Marine Radar Rex provided
each attendee with a CDROM including his enhanced slides. The
season comes to an end in December with a special seminar from
Sheldon Wecker "Choosing and Using High Tech Lines". According to
Shel The seminar will demystify the high tech line selection
process, and provide a roadmap that lets you pick the optimal line
for your boat and budget. The District 20 fall conference always
has an educational slant and this year one of our instructors - Rex
Miller won the Best in Show trophy (see pictures below) for one of
his teaching aids for Marine Electrical Systems. Rex will teach
this course again in the spring of 2011. Every one of our boat has
an electrical system a battery, lights, probably a radio as a
minimum going all the way through to shore hook-up, radar and a
complex navigation station. This class will allow you to understand
all the existing electrical services and to safely add or replace
equipment. It also includes a great section on trouble-shooting
faults both at the dock and on the water. Looking ahead will bring
a spring with an active squadron educational program and a new
Squadron Education Officer - Betti Mors will be your go-to person
for all educational activities. Betti is already putting together a
team that will serve the squadron well and lead us into a very
interesting future in at least two directions. First the national
education office is responding to the wishes for practical,
onthe-water boating education by releasing a new program and making
partnerships with the boating industry in order to run it. Watch
the web site for announcements very soon. A second interesting
direction is how to keep up with the increasing benefits of
technology Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), broadband radar,
even the humble AA battery is now available in low-self-discharge
Nickel Metal Hydride with amazing life and temperature
specifications. In 2011 the Great Lakes will (finally) be connected
to the USCG Rescue 21 system. Rescue 21 forms a component of the
International Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS),
which continued on second next page.
Cool Web Sites USPS Member Discounts
www.usps.org/national/admin_dept/membenefits.htm Get discounts on
stuff! Weather All NOAA Stuff www.weather.gov Real Time Buoy Data
www.ndbc.noaa.gov/ Log on to NOAA buoys for the latest waves, wind,
etc. Links to Marine weather forecasts. Free Electronic Charts
www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/ Wind/WaveProjections
www.windmapper.com www.passageweather.com
EDUCATION OFFICER LT/C TOM PARKINSON, JN
-
EXECUTIVE OFFICER LT/C Sheldon Wecker P
Happy Birthday Seaby Bess December 2 Dietrich Bronst December 3
Brian Cox December 9 Richard Kofsky December 22 Richard Lazar
December 27 Sheldon Wecker December 26 Gayle Booth January 4 Carol
Kunath January 6 Andy LeBoeuf January 19 Robert Earl Sloat January
19 Helen Parkinson January 30 Sharon Bucher January 31
If you dont see your special day listed contact Roster Chairman
Ellen Ludtke.
815-678-4300
On a visit to San Diego, I asked one of the locals why so many
of the boats were in their slips on a beautiful weekend day. His
answer was its always like this. We Midwesterners arent so
fortunate. Given the short prime boating/sailing season, weve got
to get out and do it when we can. But, that means we have to take
maximum advantage of the off season so that we spend more time on
the water when the weather is good. Here are a few suggestions for
things you can do now to maximize your year round boating/sailing
pleasure: Become a Vessel Safety Examiner Last year we increased
the number of examinations our squadron performed, but our numbers
are still low given the number of boats in the harbors and the
number of boats owned by our members. We need additional examiners,
especially at Kenosha and Waukegan. Getting certified isnt hard.
Spend a day reading a manual, and take an on line test. Do it now
so that we can hit the ground running in the spring, as boats are
being launched. And next year, have your boat examined. Man the
USPS booth at a Boat Show spend a few hours spreading the word at
Strictly Sail, Northern Illinois Boat Show, etc. You might even get
free admission. Get ready for the Used Equipment Sale - Sort
through your surplus gear now so you arent trying to figure out
what the pricing should be last minute (like I do) and while you
are at it, please set aside any Life Jackets you no longer use
especially kids Life Jackets - and donate them to the Squadron.
Well use them in our loaner program, or sell the surplus adult
jackets so we can buy more kids jackets. Take a course, attend a
seminar first Tuesday of the month at Waukegan Yacht Club 7PM. Do
your part for the Spring Conference Ill be sending out messages
shortly about VSC and Boat Show opportunities. When you get them,
please respond. Boat Safe, . SheSheSheShel Wecherl Wecherl Wecherl
Wecher
Upcoming Major Cruises and
Events
Commanders Holiday Open
House!! 12 December
Change Change Change Change of of of of WatchWatchWatchWatch 15
Jan15 Jan15 Jan15 Jan
-
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER LT/C ELISABETH GELTZ JN
Well, the turkey is in the oven, the cranberry sauce is ready,
the pie is cooling. And my Waukelog article is due !! It has been a
lovely two years of events, dinners, cruises, and best of all great
friends jumping in and helping wherever it has been needed. I would
like to say thank-you to everyone who has been so kind with their
assistance and their time over the past two years. I truly could
not have done it without you. Sometimes we get lost in the doing of
all the things that need to be followed up on, coordinated,
advertised etc.. and lose sight of why we are doing. Over the past
two weeks I coincidently ended up in two separate conversations in
two separate states about the Power Squadron. Both occasions were
with boaters who specifically sought out the Power Squadron because
they were getting into (and in one case back into) boating and they
did not have the knowledge they felt they needed to boat safely.
One took the beginning classes and boats on Lake Michigan in Door
County, the other who went through Advanced Piloting has a sailboat
on the Atlantic. Both were extremely pleased and grateful for the
knowledge they obtained and still use . So when we get lost, and
busy, please remember why and how many people we touch as an
organization if only for a class or two and the importance of what
we are teaching. Two important upcoming dates to watch for will be
the Change of Watch in January and OUR upcoming District 20
conference in March. Both will be great events and not to be
missed. Happy Holidays, ElisabethElisabethElisabethElisabeth
Waukegan Yacht Club is Open for dinner Friday and Saturday
Evenings 5:30 -
9pm Featuring Weekend Fish Fry $10.50
Open to the Public Reservations Call (847) 623-4188
USPS Partners with Brunswick Corporation
The Waukegan Sail and Power Squadron started its fall 2010
Advanced Piloting class on Monday, 27 September. We were aware that
the Brunswick Corporation was on the verge of signing a Memorandum
of Agreement with the United States Power Squadrons that would
establish the USPS as an educational device for all Brunswick Boat
dealers. Following a short discussion via telephone and e-mail
Brunswick volunteered the use of their corporate training center
for our Advanced Piloting class. Little did the class know, but
they were in for a special treat on the first night. Dustin (Dusty)
McCoy, Chairman and CEO of Brunswick Corporation stopped in to
personally greet the class, welcome them to the facility, and to
just hang out. He spent 45 minutes discussing with the class
boating in general, the boating business, Brunswicks outlook, and
some of the new products and concepts on the horizon. He indicated
at that time that the agreement had just been signed, and that he
expected Brunswick dealers to follow corporates lead and make use
of this new relationship. The class has just completed session
four, and they are enjoying the very roomy classroom. Dusty has
taken an interest in the class, and lets his presence be known.
Pictured from the left: Bob Dick, Sheldon Wecker, James Booth,
Matt Banach, Gayle Booth, Dusty McCoy, Seaby Bess, Karen Kaikaris,
Rex Miller, Keith Baldwin(Instructor), and Dick Lazar.
Education Officer continued. is already a fact of life aboard
commercial ships and is incorporated into USPS seminars and
courses. The winter session of Americas Boating Course will run as
usual College of Lake County - starting in January. Every student
who passes the ABC exam will be given six months free membership in
USPS and as an effort to encourage them to continue with the great
courses that we offer, our squadron is timing the spring Piloting
course (presented by me and Tenney Ford) so that these new members
will be able to take it after the ABC class finishes. You may note
that this will mean the spring class will run further into the
boating season than our classes have in the past but this fits the
reality of peoples needs. The squadrons in our area, Racine,
Waukegan, Chain-o-Lakes and Skokie Valley are going to make a joint
effort to work with Skipper Buds to present our ABC course and
others to the public throughout the early boating season. These
will be followed by the new on-the-water instruction. The advanced
boaters will be able to extend their boating knowledge with Junior
Navigation class starting in March. The squadron provides loaner
sextants and Paul Green and Keith Baldwin to guide you into the
technicalities of space and time just dont let Jim Moran adjust
your sextant. We hope to have a Sail class also - so watch the web
site for time and place. Ill be seeing you on the water - or in the
classroom, Tom Parkinson, JN
-
WAUKEELOG
EDITOR Bob Kunath, JN [email protected]
There may be a little good news on the economic front, and,
specifically, the marine business. Upon returning to Florida, we of
course ignored the house and instead put all efforts in getting the
boat (20 deck boat) back in operation. To do that, we charged the
batteries, added a coat of Scotchgard and took her out of the
garage and back to the dry-rack marina. We passed Marine Max on the
way, and found they have added two new lines, Mako and Bayliner.
When we got to the marina we noted fewer empty spaces in the rack
than at the same time last year; the manager confirmed that his
business is up. He also added two new boat lines to his shop. Many
of the local restaurants and shops are also reporting modest gains.
Of course, the Venice S&PS activities are in full swing. One
super announcement: Gordon Bloom N, formerly of W S&PS, now
Venice S&PS, has received the national Charles F. Chapman Award
for Excellence in Teaching. The award was presented to Gordon by
Nadene Boyle, Commander of the Venice Squadron. Many of us have
benefited from Gordons role as teacher of various Boating courses.
Im probably the only student who has attended his courses in both
Waukegan and Venice, having taken AP, Weather and JN with him, and
am about to start N with Gordon. Congratulations and thanks from
all of us Gordon!
BobBobBobBob
[
How about combining your love for boating with flying? Eugene
Ely was the guy who did that on Nov 14, 1910 and
became the first pilot to take off from the first aircraft
carrier in Norfolk. Note the crease in his trousers, the bicycle
tube PFDs
and the sand bags holding down the ramp.
-
Support your WSPS SponsorsContact [email protected] for Ad
rates WSPS MEMBER
Buy, Sell, Trade No Charge to WSPS Members. Pictures OK. Will
run one issue unless advised to rerun. Send ad to
[email protected]
YOUR FREE AD HERE!
WS&PS BENEFIT New 2011 Editions 20% OFF
Log on to www.waterwayguide.com , use coupon code WWG20 to get a
20% discount. Now available: 2011 Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic ICW,
Southern, & Bahamas Editions, 2010 Northern and Great Lakes,
cover price $39.95. Skipper Bobs Cruising Lake Michigan, updated
for 2010 by Bob Kunath, is now also available at the same web
site.
2BR 2BA 1400 sf Villa for rent, 2011 weeks from $695 for WSPS
www.vrbo.com/107815 or email: [email protected]
Hilton Head Villa
-
Rexs Winning Teaching Aid
WSPS Photo Gallery
-
The following named individuals are herby nominated for election
at the annual meeting on 13 November, 2010 for the offices shown.
This is in accordance with applicable sections of Article 9,
section 9.3 of the bylaws of the Waukegan Sail and Power
Squadron.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Bridge Officers Commander CDR Michael B.
Ludtke, N l Executive Officer Lt/C Sheldon M. Wecker, P
Administrative Officer Lt Marlene Cox, S Educational Officer Betti
Mors, AP Secretary Lt/C Elisabeth Geltz, JN Treasurer Lt/C Tenney
S. Ford III, S Members At Large P/C Oscar J. Lutz, N Lt Gary
LeVine, P* Robert E. Sloat, AP To be nominated from the floor To be
nominated from the floor
NOT ON EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: ELECTED Assistant Educational
Officer P/D/C Keith R. Baldwin, SN Assistant Treasurer Lt Sean P.
Sullivan
ELECTED COMMITTEES
Nominating Committee Lt John A. Josko, AP** *1 year Chairman P/C
Oscar J. Lutz, N *2 years P/C James C. Moran, AP 3 years
Auditing Committee Chairman Lt.Richard Lazar, P*** 1 year Lt
Helen L. Green, AP *2 years Lt Mark R. Villano, P 3 years
Rules Committee Chairman P/C Richard J. Kofsky, SN *1 year P/C
John C. Bucher, P *2 years P/C Paul M. Green, SN 3 years l * These
individuals were previously elected to a multi-year term and are
restated here only to indicate the remaining term. ** Cannot serve
as Chairman, as bylaws require that position must be held by a Past
Commander. *** Replaces Jim Moran for his final year on the Audit
Committee.. Respectfully Submitted on 13 October 2010, P/C Oscar J.
Lutz, N Lt John A. Josko, AP P/C Paul M. Green, SN
