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
Learn to Sail
11 Apr 2024
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"Introduction to Sailing" sessions are held Wednesday evenings, June through September. Come join the fun. We provide the boats.
Dues are due
01 Apr 2024
It's time to think about the upcoming sailing season. Dues for this year are due.
Associate membership $50.
Sailing membership $100.
Boat storage in our yard $50 each summer and winter.
You can pay online HERE or send a check to: SYC, PO Box 221, Topeka, KS 66601.
Thanks if you have already sent it in.
Mark Marling
Treasurer
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
61.0°F - Thunderstorm in Vicinity
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
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Racing Blog
MC Scow Invitational Regatta report
The wind on Friday was, well, windy. Saturday had no wind and was raining (no sailing) and Sunday had winds of 5-8 MPH.
We broke our goose neck before the first race and missed it and the second race. Repaired in time for the third race we had a port start on the left end. The recall was sounded and the VHF said recall so we turned back. Some spectators informed us that it was not a general recall and the race was still on, so we resumed racing. (The boat we beat at the start finished second.) We had some other equipment issues with the port board being stuck up and finished near last. Fourth race (first race Sunday) I snuck into the start line and stole someone's great start. Fun! Rounding 3rd-4th at all marks but finishing 7th. Last race I knew my start was toast so I bailed out early. Starting down the line taking a port tack into clear air (but not much velocity) I salvaged a mid fleet start. Working the shifts, consolidating, and staying in the stronger wind, I was able to recover to finish 8th. That is about where I expected to finish for the regatta, so I'm not too disappointed.
OK. Here is what worked. These are things you have to do. 1) Get clear air at the start, ASAP. 2) Stay in the dark water. 3) Sail on the tack with the advantageous angles against your competitors. If in doubt of your advantage, be on the tack that will take you closer to the mark. 4) Consolidate any gains you may have before you loose your advantage. 5) Go low on the runs when you can. 6) Power up to slice thru the severe motor boat chop.
Here is what didn't work. 1) Tacking up the middle trying to play the angles against both sides. I should have picked the side to attack that had the regatta leaders on it. The fleet tends to split going upwind on a WL course with a mile beat on big water. Go with the long tack or favored side and stick to it. Don't be chasing from side to side. 2) I like to tack and then wait for the strong wind to come to me. Bad move in light wind as the boat is slow and it may take a while for the wind to get to you.
Fun, fun!