Sabetha Girl Scouts-1
Welcome to Shawnee Yacht Club

Since 1941, SYC has promoted sailing on Lake Shawnee for the recreational benefit of the local community. In addition to the opportunity to sail on beautiful Lake Shawnee, the club provides:

  • sailing lessons for those new to the sport,
  • various sizes and classes of sailboats for members to use,
  • a fenced boatyard with a boat ramp where members can keep their boats year-round,
  • several docks (provided by Parks and Rec),
  • a storage shed for equipment,
  • various scheduled club sailing activities, like racing,
  • various scheduled club social gatherings throughout the year

Questions?  -  Come Join Us

Current News
Annual Business Meeting
28 Feb 2024

The SYC Annual Business Meeting was held via Zoom on February 25th, 2024. Here are some highlights:

  • Same board members as last year except Rocky is new:
    • Jim Tompkins, Commodore
    • Rocky Bartlow, Vice-Commodore
    • Mark Marling, Treasurer
    • Irene Haws, Secretary
    • Cheryl Basiotis, Governor at large
    • Eddie Penner, Governor-Legal
    • Mike Gorman, Governor-Grounds
    • Josh Harsch, Governor-Social media
  • Membership fees stay the same except for dropping the BoatShare+ category and extra fee.
  • Socials will be on Sundays instead of Fridays or Saturdays.
  • July 4th events and social like last year.
  • Club sponsoring Sea Scouts.
  • Lesson sign-up through Parks & Rec.

SYC members click HERE for the full meeting minutes, HERE for the Treasurer's Report, and HERE for the Boatyard Expense Details.

              Topeka Weather
              55.0°F - Fair
              Wind
              South at 10.4 mph
              Wind Chill
              52°F
              Humidity
              53%
              Barometer
              29.91in
              At
              2:53am
              Coming Events
              • 5/5, Spring Work Party, 11:00am, SYC
              • 5/5, Spring Social, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
              • 5/26, Spring Social Alternate?, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
              • 6/2, First Sun Group Sailing, 2:30pm-5:30pm, SYC
              Mark's Racing Blog
              Common Situations That Will Happen Many Times Each Race
              I repeat "COMMON SITUATIONS".  "HAPPEN MANY TIMES EACH RACE".  Please let this sink in!

              You are beating up the right side of the lake on port tack.  Tony is beating up the left side of the lake, also on port tack, but he is pointing higher than you.
              You:
              a) curse your bad luck
              b) hope the wind will soon change in your favor
              c) hope Tony tips over
              d) tack

              Similar situation but you are pointing higher than Tony.
              You:
              a) congratulate yourself on being so smart
              b) hope this lasts
              c) hope Tony doesn't notice
              d) tack

              The answer in the first case is d) tack.  Tony is making out on you to the tune of maybe one boat length in five sailed.  You best cut your loss and go get in Tony's wind.

              The answer in the second case is c) hope Tony doesn't notice.  If he does notice, he will tack and then he will be gaining the one length in five mentioned above.

              You have got to watch the angles you and your competitors are sailing. 
              Somebody is ALWAYS gaining and someone is ALWAYS losing.
              It is a game of distance, not speed.

              Two boats are crossing on opposite tacks.  One of you is going the correct way and the other IS NOT. This is always true.
              Who is going the correct way?
              a) Tony
              b) whoever is pointing closest to the mark.

              In the third case, the boat pointing closest to the mark is 1) closing the distance to the mark for an equivalent time sailed, and 2) is less effected by any change in wind direction.

              Sailing is a geometry game.
              In cooperation with

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