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The Big Lake club site road and picnic area were torn up by Bob Schnell's heavy equipment on September 22, 1998 while he worked on his lot. We have tried to be a good neighbor by granting him access, but our hospitality has been abused again and again. The Alaska Sailing Club Board met on October 1, 1998 and voted unanimously to deny Mr. Schnell all but foot traffic access. A fence will be constructed in 1999 to eliminate future transgressions.
Sitting here in the Alaska Sailing Clubhouse on Aug.18, 1998 at approximately 11pm or so. Today was a beautiful day for sailing. I rigged up and hoisted sail on the Winsome and harnessed a 6pm southwesterly that brought me back to the club just at sunset under full sail. What can I say, the day was brilliant. Now as the sun will actually set (which means you know what. ..autumn!), the peak of Denali is in full glow. The silhouettes of the surrounding hillsides reveal the curvatures of the Susitna Valley. Bob is snoring wildly in his tent on the hill and I can hear him through the walls of the clubhouse. I thought, being a workday and I conveniently having my computer along, that I would make my debut in the newsletter of the next issue of The Sheet.
It comes to my mind how nifty this newsletter is and what a great way to keep everyone informed and on line. Which by the way is another awesome media feature of our club. We are actually noticed by other sailing interests around the globe and across seven seas. This is pretty darn cool I think. Thank you very much to those who put the effort forth to establish these media tools for our club as well as maintains them.
So, what else could a barley farmer who sails in Alaska be talking about that would interest the fellow Alaskan sailor. Beer you ask? Well, not exactly but I like the way those of you who guessed this are thinking. It is true that scientists are revealing research, which confirms that sailing and beer both evolved in a symbiotic relations hip during the Phoenician Renaissance. OK, the real topic now please!
The topic I had in mind with this debut article was just to share with the rest of the world what we really do have here in terms of a wonderful sailing club and what it means to the Alaskans who sail here. Alaska is with no dispute the last place on earth I ever imagined to find a sailboat 7 years ago before I moved to Kodiak, Alaska to go commercial fishing. Goes to show what I knew about sailing 7years ago, ehh (please forgive the Canadian accent)? I have sailed in several coastal locations in Alaska, the North Sea, the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, and the Baltic Seas and never have I felt so peaceful and "at home" than at our sailing club on Big Lake, Alaska. The feeling of this club house and the grounds around it with all the sailboats and docks with the sun going down over it all, with loons crying their eerie song in the background and the only one who could really appreciate this totally long run on sentence at this point would be a German grammar instructor.
The geographical features of Big Lake make possible the utilization of many different sailing methods, tactics, and gear. Big Lake has well over 50 circumference miles of sailing grounds, basically four miles across the lake; north, south, east, or west. There are some thirteen islands on Big Lake, most of which are circumnavigable. These islands and the rolling glacial moraines on the borders of the lake create alternating wind patterns which give the sailor incessant challenges for higher performance sailing. Even though most of the winds at Big Lake are medium strength, I do not have to remind any of the 1997 members who were present the Memorial Day weekend when Steve Anastos and I capsized out of his 18 foot long Whaler. Estimated wind speed that day (that moment) was peaking at a good 25+knots! In other words, we are not deficient in wind here in any way.
What our sailing club is deficient in though is days of summer. If anyone knows how to improve this, besides the ever popular global warming, then it would be nice to be able to sail in to the end of Oct. like other coastal sailing clubs. However, having had the opportunity to sail 2 dozen times in 5 months is a real blessing for me. It would be nice to see more of us out there on the lake every day of the week. Here's my one line political kitsch: "'Sustenance is about persistency and quality; without a positive presence, no organization can survive social criticism." In other words, if there were as many sailors on lake as power boaters then the scepter of clout would be in our hands right?
I have read so many articles about the clashing of motorheads and diaper flyers! The bottom line is that sailors rule the water and there's not much more to be said about that! What would be a dream come true in our club (for me) would be to see every member of the club sail at the club at least once every 3 weeks, spend the afternoon there, and for each member to pick a vessel and call it their own personal responsibility. I guess after a choice day of sailing and sitting here overlooking the sunset appreciating it all and wanting to end this article so I can play the mandolin. ..it's all easier said than done. Like Bob says, there's no try in anything. It's what we do that means something. May your sails be full!, and if they are full now, may they be full again.
August 13, 1998 marked Matt Flickenger’s last day in Alaska for some time. Matt has joined the US Navy for not just a job - an adventure. Matt will be training as machinist mate on nuclear subs in Connecticut. "So, where’s the main halyard on this boat?"
Matt is a third generation club member from the McKinnon clan. His mother Jan has served as club secretary for years. His grandparents, John and Joan, were charter members of the club. He literally grew up at the Alaska Sailing Club. As an avid sailor and racer he won the Governor’s Cup in 1996 in a Laser. During work parties, sailing classes and special projects Matt was there contributing his enthusiasm, knowledge and sweat. Well, some sweat anyway.
Matt ventured out on Big Lake, with me on my Hobie 16, for a
late afternoon sail in early August. It started with winds about
7 to 10 mph and we made steady progress to the northwest. The
breeze began to freshen and we caught some good puffs. The cat
came alive and accelerated briskly as we headed up, sheeted in
and sailed close hauled. The port hull started to lift and
skipped along the surface as we hiked out to compensate. 
The wires began to sing and
we both howled from the adrenaline flow. After the puff subsided,
Matt turned to me and exclaimed, "So this is what Hobie Cat
sailing is all about!". A nod and a smile were the only
replies needed.
We continued in a dwindling breeze to the east end of the lake. Our shore-based crew did not notice us heading east and became concerned. They formed and sent a rescue crew to search for the missing cat, but that is another story. As we neared the club site Matt asked, "You know what I am going to miss the most about Alaska while away in the Navy?" He answered himself, "This little sailing club on Big Lake.".
Ben and Birgitt Robar successfully defended their
Governor’s Cup title again in 1998 using the family
Skipjack. Other participating racers were Henry and Oliver Robar
in the club Skipjack, Curtis Dunkin in the RL and myself in the
Hobie 16. The winds were good (for Big Lake) on Saturday,
September 5 with the Ben and Birgitt taking Races 1 and 2. I
arrived late but was able to rig, get on the water for Race 3 and
win.
Sunday, September 6 yielded zero wind and all races were
canceled. Labor Day winds were light and variable. Usually at the
starting gun winds were good, before the first mark decreased to
almost none and by the last mark increasing again. And so goes
Big Lake racing. My son Taylor joined me as crew for Race 1. It
marked his first racing experience and my forth. We were in the
lead until the second mark when skipper error forced a 360 to
make the mark as the senior Robar Skipjack sailed by us. Racing
Lesson 1: The fastest boat does not always win. Ben and Birgitt
finished 1st, Taylor and I 2nd, Henry and Oliver 3rd and Curtis
4th. I managed wins in Race 2 and 3, by slim margins, and when
race times were totaled, Ben and Birgitt emerged as overall
victors, without even applying the Portsmouth rules 
(Handicap
calculations to adjust race times and allow different sailboats
to compete in the same race). Congratulations Ben and Birgitt
Robar!
My sailboat racing resume consists of six races held at our club site on Big Lake. I can’t really count watching some America’s Cup races on TV. Why race? At our level racing is certainly not money, prestige, or endorsement income opportunities.
While winning is fun to strive for, its not that important to me. For me it’s just fun and educational. Just participating in some friendly competition and having one more excuse to get some time on the boat rate high on my fun meter. As for educational, I only know a few of the rules, so every race is an education in the rules of racing. We’re pretty flexible in the rule department. You won’t find post race protest hearings, disqualifications and screaming matches. You will find some cold beer and friendly discussions on any race issues. Usually it’s "Hey! The wind is up, let’s go again.".
Racing is an education in sailing as a whole and I don’t just mean race tactics or strategy. Helmsmanship, sail trim, wind direction and strength analysis are just some of the skills sharpened while racing. Any mistakes or deviation from "the groove" translate to being way behind "a boat doing it right".
To sum it up: Racing makes you a better sailor. So, come out and join in for the 1999 racing season.
In late September I wrote Rick White an Email. I did not really expect a reply. I thought: this guy is way too busy to reply to some little sailing club in Alaska. Rick has been around since the early days of cat racing and, with his wife Mary Wells, has written three books on the subject. He is a champion racer, world class instructor and, as it turns out, a down to earth, accessible celebrity.
At 09:18 AM 9/27/1998, I wrote:
Rick and Mary,
I've really enjoyed your current cat book and the previous one. Both are well worn and dog eared from years of reading and reference. I'm Past Commodore, newsletter editor and webmaster for the Alaska Sailing Club. We are a small, rustic sailing club on Big Lake Alaska. We are struggling to maintain membership and racing interest. Two H-16s, one SolCat, two Lasers, one Harpoon 5.8 and three Skipjacks are the bulk of our small boat fleet.
I'm writing to request permission to use portions of the "Revival" Chapter from "Catamaran Racing for the 90s" in our club newsletter "The Sheet". Although there are only a few cat sailors, other than myself, at the club, this chapter speaks volumes to all sailing organizations on urgent issues facing our sport. I could go on and on about this but, in summary, the chapter eloquently states all the things, and more, I've been trying to say for years.
Next time your surfing the web stop by our humble and all volunteer (me) web site: http://members.aol.com/aksailclub
I can be reached via Email at this address (business) or one of the following:
Personal: paul_willing@compuserve.com
Club: aksailclub@aol.com
If you're ever in Alaska in the summer stop by the club site. We're only 1:20 north of Anchorage. Heck, hold a one day quickie Seminar and write off your trip.
Paul Willing
Rick's reply:
Date: Tue, 06 Oct 1998 10:10:26 -0400 To: Paul Willing <pwilling@reevecorp.com From: Rick White ram5@icanect.net Subject: Re: Catamaran Racing for the 90s
Hi Paul,
I have heard it is beautiful up there, but I am definitely a fair weather sailor. No problem using anything on the your web site or newsletter, just give credits so folks know where it came from. By the way, We (Catamaran Sailor Magazine, URL: http://www.catsailor.com ) have just set up a link to your site and assumed that you probably don't have a reciprocal link back to us. We surely would appreciate it, if you could. We will most likely be sending you a lot of hits (we are now averaging over 1/4 million hits per month and building, and last May alone exceeded 460,000 hits due to our coverage of the Worrell 1000 Race -- this year coverage should be awesomely high) and would appreciate your guiding some people to us.The following sites are affiliated with us in one way or the other:
Catamaran Sailor NewsMagazine (National U.S. monthly for beach cat and multihull racers/sailors) http://www.catsailor.com
Ram Press Bookstore (Affiliated with Amazon.com, this is a well stocked nautical bookstore site) http://www.catsailor.com/ram_press.html
Rick White Sailing Seminars (Race/sailing training camps and clinics in Key Largo, FL and on the road) http://www.catsailor.com/ss.html
International Sailing Center (Learn to sail through advanced schooling, affiliated with ASA and USSA) http://www.catsailor.com/isc.html
Rick's Place Sailing Resort Motel (Lush grounds, beach, free boats to use and great rooms in the beautiful tradewinds of the Florida Keys) http://www.catsailor.com/ricks_place.html Thanks and good luck.
Rick White
Awesome! I've linked us back to his site and it was worth it to try and lure him to Alaska. Look for the mentioned sections from the "Revival" chapter in future issues.
The following is an excerpt from a September 18, 1998 letter I wrote for the fall work party.
Dear Fellow Alaska Sailing Club Members:
As Past Commodore for 1999 I can continue to host the club’s web site and publish The Sheet. Content contributions to The Sheet are welcome from all members and are really needed to prevent a stale publication authored exclusively be me. I’ll publish all submitted articles within the bounds of reason and good taste. Personal opinions would be published as Letters to the Editor. A classified section could be added for boats and related equipment.
During my tenure as Commodore for the 1997 and 1998 seasons I’ve concentrated my efforts on site maintenance and upgrades. We constructed one new dock and work barge in 1997 and two new dock sections in 1998. We should continue to strive for at least one new dock section each year.
The old electric hoist failed and was replaced by and electric winch in 1997. The winch motor burned out this year and was replaced. The winch cable is frayed, due to original installation problems and should be replaced. A new cable assembly is in the clubhouse. The lead weights above the hook on the old cable must be transferred to the new cable to ensure proper spooling.
Other pending maintenance items:
The club as an organization needs maintenance and repair much as the infrastructure does. Currently we have 28 members with about 12 active sailors. In 1998 we lost more members than we gained. We need to attract more sailors to join. Any ideas? My suggestions:
Have a good winter and I’ll see everyone at the next meeting.
Elections were held at the Fall Work Party with the following results:
Commodore - Curtis Dunkin
First Vice Commodore - Joe Ofner
Second Vice Commodore - Steve Anastos
Treasurer - Birgitt Robar
Secretary - Carol Clouse was elected but has since contacted me and advised she would be unable to fill the post due to her husband's extended illness. She has had to place him in a nursing home in Idaho and is unsure of when she will be able to return to Alaska. Hopefully Jan Flickenger can fill in until a volunteer steps forward.
Harbormaster - Bob Boyer
Past Commodore - Paul Willing
Volunteer positions include Sailing Instructor - Sam Tribble, Race Schedule and Membership Drive - Dave Johnson, Sheet Editor - Paul Willing
A BELATED APPRECIATION
A well attended meeting was held at our house on the first of October with our Commodore, Curtis Dunkin, presiding. The meeting dealt with some very serious and important concerns which are recorded in the meeting minutes. However, what was not covered at the meeting is the purpose of this letter.
Elections were held during our annual end of the season work party meeting. The then current Commodore, Paul Willing, was unfortunately unable to attend, therefore no voice of appreciation was given to him at that time. For the past two years Paul has successfully guided this club with dedicated physical work and diligent administration, whether it be dock replacements, hoist improvements, payment demands, or public relations. That also included publishing THE SHEET and last but certainly not least: putting us on the internet.
Please join us in thanking him for a job "WELL DONE!"
B+B Robar - Skipjack 67
We are starting to get more and more web hits on our site along with increased Email from sailors all over the world who are curious about sailing in Alaska. I am keeping up with timely responses so far.
ASC Members: if you know anyone who wants to know more about the club, please give them our exact URL http://members.aol.com/aksailclub
Also, please, please... if you have Internet access, Email the club aksailclub@aol.com and let me know that you don't need to be mailed The Sheet. This will save the time and expense of printing and mailing extra copies. If you don't have access at home try a cyber cafe, school or library. It looks much better in color on a large monitor, as opposed to the printed page.
For those members new to the net: If you're having trouble finding the site (we're still not registered on all the search engines) try typing our exact URL http://members.aol.com/aksailclub in the address line on your browser, then press Enter. You might take note there is no www in our address. Once you connect just add a bookmark and you're all set.
January 30, 1999 at the club site on Big Lake. 10:30am - 4:00pm. Snow oriented recreational activities plus some games on the ice (bowling, ice ball, golf, croquet, etc.) Potluck at 3:30pm
RSVP to Commodore Curtis Dunkin via phone: 907-745-2526 or Email: barley@alaska.net
As everyone is painfully aware the last few weeks have been rather damp. It is not just perspective; Anchorage actually set a new record for the most rainy days in a row. Who needs this kind of record? Let's hope the rest of June and summer are drier, after all it is time to SAIL! So, get out on the water and enjoy. Hope to see you at the lake.
Mountains were moved, major rivers diverted, new B dock section constructed, grounds spruced up, boats repaired, cleaned and rigged at the spring work party.
A well deserved thanks for a job well done to participating members: Bob Boyer and Jeanie, Roger Buenzow, Darlita D. Carlo, Mike Dale, Ray De Lay, Matt Flickenger, Andrew Hampe, Joe Offner, Ben and Birgitt Robar, Larry Strain, Sam Tribble, Judith Whitear and Paul Willing.
Since the work party Curtis Dunkin and Joe Offner constructed a C dock section replacement. Now, if only the corner hinge brackets would arrive from Anchorage... it could be put in the water.
Kudos to Roger Buenzow for teaching another excellent (and probably his last) sailing class for the club. Roger is moving to lower America and we wish him well. He has been an active member and has contributed many hours of his time as both instructor and work party participant. Good luck and smooth sailing Roger!
A hearty nautical welcome to new members Carol Clouse and her grandson Adam, and Curtis Dunkin. Carol, Adam and Curtis have already made a positive impact on the club and we hope they continue to do so for years to come.
Writer's block, time constraints and lack of articles from the wire service (members) mandate a brief issue. This issue is published online with hardcopies available at the club house. Bulk mailing will occur after July 6th due editor's vacation.
Any members who wish to submit articles or photos for publication should snail mail to club PO Box, Email to aksailclub@aol.com or just hand them to me in person.
Due to Matt Flickenger's sabbatical/hiatus, or being just too darn busy between school and work, I will act as editor until a new victim, err volunteer steps forward. I'll compile, edit and publish the print and web versions of The Sheet until then. Any members who wish to submit articles or photos for publication should snail mail to club PO Box, Email to aksailclub@aol.com or just hand them to me in person.
The National Weather Service long range forecasters are predicting warmer and drier weather than normal for March and April in Alaska due to the effects of El Nino. It seems an early spring break up is just around the corner.
Spring / Sailing fever is starting and the club is preparing for another sailing season. The Nominating Committee has selected the following members for club officers.
Nominated officers are Paul Willing, Commodore, Steve Anastos, First Vice-Commodore, Joe Offner, Second Vice-Commodore, Janet Flickenger, Secretary, Birgitt Robar, Treasurer, Bob Boyer, Harbormaster, Dave Johnson is Past Commodore. Additional nominations and election to be held at the first work party on May 16, 1998.
Roger Buenzow graciously volunteered to teach the sailing class again this year. We need boat owners and members to volunteer for the on the water portion of the class. Classroom and pool sessions will be through the Anchorage Community Schools. Dates, times and location details will be published in the next issue of The Sheet. If you know someone who might be interested in the classes or joining the club please point them to our web site or print the information and give it to them.
Goodbye to Bart B. BixelThe Alaska Sailing Club is saddened by the loss of member Bart Bixel, who died at home February 21, 1998. Our hearts and condolences go out to his wife Barbara and family. Bart will be sorely missed.
If you are a paying member of this club you are obligated to participate in one of the work parties each year. All members except for associates and juniors need to be at one of the work parties this year, either the one in the spring or the one in the fall.
We do not have any paid employees. So, to make the club ready we need the mandatory rule in place. It makes it a whole lot easier, on the members who do show up, to have a large work force.
The first work party is the week before the class, the 16th of May, so it would help to get a large group then, to clean and set up the boats.
Some things to look for this time around are the usual dock maintenance and launching of the boats, cleaning up the club site, and repairing any winter damage. The outboard section of B dock is slated for replacement.
A search party usually goes up and assesses the damage the week before. They tally up the supplies we need and send it out in a bulletin to members so they know what tools to bring and things
Lease, taxes and insurance bills are due. It's time to renew your membership.
In the print version of The Sheet you should have received a rates page with all the correct prices, a rules page, and a release of liability page. Please fill them all out completely and send them in to the club PO Box with the amount due. Follow the Membership info link on the ASC Home Page and print a copy if you still need the forms.
Kudos to Mike Dale for serving as honorary "Hardwater" Harbormaster this winter. Living aboard the Diamond Willow he enhanced club site off season security and maintenance.
| Date | Time | Event | Location/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday - May 9 | Noon - 2:00pm | Scouting Party | ASC Club Site Club Officers only needed |
| Tuesday - May 12 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Sailing Class | Creekside Park Elementary 7500 E 6th Ave Anchorage |
| Thursday - May14 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Sailing Class | Creekside Park Elementary 7500 E 6th Ave Anchorage |
| Saturday - May 16 | 10:00am - 4:00pm | Spring Work Party | ASC Club Site. Potluck, general membership meeting and elections |
| Tuesday - May 19 | 7:30pm - 9:30pm | Pool Session | Bartlett High School 25500 Muldoon Rd Anchorage |
| Saturday - May 23 | TBA | Sailing Class | ASC Club Site |
| Sunday - May 24 | TBA | Sailing Class | ASC Club Site |
| Monday - May 25 | TBA | Sailing Class | ASC Club Site |
| Saturday - June 6 | Noon | Race 1 | ASC Club Site |
| Saturday - June 27 | Noon | Race 2 | ASC Club Site |
| Saturday - July 11 | Noon | Race 3 | ASC Club Site |
| Saturday - July 18 | TBA | Reggata Event | ASC Club Site |
| Saturday - August 15 | Noon | Race 4 | ASC Club Site |
| Saturday - September 5 | 11:00am | Governor's Cup | ASC Club Site |
| Sunday - September 6 | 11:00am | Governor's Cup | ASC Club Site |
| Monday - September 7 | 11:00am | Governor's Cup | ASC Club Site |
| Saturday - September 19 | 11:00am | General Membership Meeting, Elections & Fall Work Party followed by a potluck | ASC Club Site |
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