Wow! Spring is finally here and the SYC boatyard is OPEN!
We are looking forward to a full sailing season at the lake this year including:
- Monthly first (or last) Friday dinners out.
- Monthly moonlight sails June thru September.
- Resumption of the free community sailing lessons.
- Resumption of SYC club racing.
You can participate in all of the above for only:
- $50 social membership or
- $100 boating membership or
- $150 racing membership
Send your check to SYC, Box 221, Topeka, KS 66601 or use Paypal via the Shawneeyachtclub.org web page.
We are looking forward to another great year at SYC,
Mark Marling
Secretary/Treasurer
An Appeal to SYC Alumni
Do you remember:
Brent Nothern
SYC's Brent Nothern died unexpectedly December 14, 2020. Brent was a fixture at SYC since he was young and, in more recent years, sailing and working with his dad, Austin, on their boats. Brent was also a photographer and generously provided SYC with photos of many of our events. Our hearts go out to his family. We'll miss seeing Brent out on the water.
SYC Facility Upgrade Plans
With 2021 being SYC's 80th year, plans are in-the-works for a major upgrade to club facilities to support future generations of local sailing enthusiasts and make room for new developments at Lake Shawnee.
Forbes Weather
33.0°F - Fair
Coming Events
(Subject to Covid Restrictions)
- 5/15, Work Party, 9:00 am, SYC
- 5/28, Wine & Cheese Party, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
- 6/2, First Intro to Sailing & Racing, 6:00 pm, SYC
- 6/6, First Sunday Race, 2:00 pm, SYC
- 6/26, Full Moon Social, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Sailing Blog
Mark's MC Tuning Theory
Low wind. That is not enough wind to bend the mast. The straight mast makes the sail have too much curve at the luff (you can't point) and too tight a leach (cupping to windward choking the boat). Here is how I try to overcome these defects. Slightly over tighten the outhaul to open the lower leach, and move the traveler out so the boom is on the aft corner. These adjustments will make the leach parallel to the centerline of the boat.
Medium wind. Any wind that lets the sail assume its designed shape. The mast will bend, and we can trim all the sail controls too much or too little. Here is what I do. Pull the outhaul and downhaul until there are no wrinkles coming of the spars. Trim the traveler and main sheet to make the leach parallel to the boat centerline. Too lose and you are not using all the power, too tight and you are choking the sail. You will be continually adjusting the leach tension with the main sheet.
Heavy wind. You are over powered. Now you are on the rail and having trouble keeping the angle of heel to less than 20 degrees. The sail has more wind than the boat can use. Reduce power by over stretching the controls. Outhaul to open the lower leach. Downhaul to open the upper leach. Vang to over bend the mast, flattening the lower front part of the sail. Ease the main sheet to twist off the top of the sail (controlling the angle of heel). The main sheet is now your primary control of the angle of heel.
In all conditions. Align the sail to the wind. (Your indication is the sail tell tails.)
Maintain 15-20 degrees of heel. (Leeward board should be nearly vertical.)
Balance the helm by raising/lowering the boards. (The indicator is the tiller position.)
Ease/Hike/Sheet in the puffs. Even little ones. (Accelerate the boat, don't point.)