Lucille Marie takes first place on Winthrop Race
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Off-Shore Race/Cruise wonderful day on the water!

“Don’t ever believe the weather reports,” is one of Jim Maivald’s favorite aphorism, especially when it come to sailing. “You can’t know what the weather is until you get to the harbor.”

If you believed the weather report for Saturday, May 8th, you would have thought there would be no wind and a long boring race to Winthrop harbor. But, you would have been wrong. The wind was blowing lightly from the northeast at 10am and kept building until start time. At 1100. the wind was at 4-6 knots from ENE. 

Sails call crew on Winthrop Race
Sails call crew on Winthrop Race trims sails.

The WYC Committee Boat was already on station by 1030 waiting for the fleet of racers. Unfortunately, it was a poor turnout for our first WYC Off-Shore race. Only three WYC racers appeared on the line. The first warning went off promptly at 1055. At 1100, the cannon sounded and the racers were off!

As we raced north the sun broke out of the overcast and the rest of the race was in bright sunshine that belied the chilly temperature. We passed east of the new Zion intake marker at over 5 knots.

Passing Zion marker during Winthrop race
Passing Zion marker during Winthrop race

Winds filled in nicely and we had nearly a record run to Winthrop. The first boat crossed the finish line at 12:32:52 for an average speed of over 4.9 knots.

Winthrop race finish line
Winthrop race finish line

The racers opened the patio at The Tropics restaurant in the Northpoint marina and had a great lunch before heading back. The sail back was just as fun but not as sunny.

Sunny skies replaced by overcast
The sunny skies were replaced by overcast.

Don’t miss our next Off-Shore Race, May 22 from Waukegan to Zion and back!

Click here to see the entire WYC Racing schedule

first 2021 WYC race
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First WYC Race Amazing!

After two failed attempts Waukegan Yacht Club finally got our first 2021 race under our belt. The wind was very unpredictable at first. It shifted 20-30 degrees several times before the race started and almost died. But after delaying the start of the race for 20 minutes section one responded to the cannon on the Committee boat and jumped off to windward. Fortunately, the wind filled in and the race was on. 

Conditions would have been warmer but ideal for the first race.

As the picked up the bunched up racers started to separate. The skies were spackled with thin clouds the temperature brisk. The air was crystal clear and the visibility unlimited. Chicago sat proudly on the southern horizon begging for a visit. 

First WYC race 2021
Crew of Sails Call seems to be having fun

As the wind picked up the mark, so tiny on the eastern horizon, approached quickly.  Most racers made the mark with only two tacks. 

first race
Weather conditions were brisk but clear. Perfect for the first WYC race.

Although we started late, the fleet made it to and around mark in record time. The wind shifted finally to the south allowing everyone to sail right to the mouth of the harbor.

You could not have asked for better conditions for the first race, although 70 degrees would have been appreciated by everyone. Is your boat in the water? Are you signed up for WYC racing? It’s never too late! Come out and join the fun! All racers are welcome.

Click here to see our 2021 Race Schedule

All racing skippers must provide crew on the WYC Committee boat a minimum of three times during the season. Please schedule your time on the boat by clicking below:

Click to schedule your Committee Boat duty

framed boat photos
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Members’ Wall of Fame

For years, the Waukegan Yacht Club has displayed photos of members boats on the walls of the bar inside the club. Unfortunately, many of the photos hanging on the walls today are of boats of members that are no longer part of the club. The WYC Sail Committee has decided that the photo wall should be updated with photos of the boats of current members. 

All members in good standing are invited to submit a framed 8″ X 10″ photo of their boat to be hung within the club for 2021. We will have one wall dedicated to members who participate in our weekly races and the photos will be displayed each week in the order of that week’s race results. Each week after the race on Wednesday we will have an impromptu ceremony at the club to honor that week’s winners and set their photos in the proper order. All racers are encouraged to attend and participate.
 
Framed photo of member boat
Submit a photo of your boat to hang on the wall of Waukegan Yacht Club


Another wall will display photos of all other members’ boats. Photos can be of sail or power boats and may include your skipper and crew. Photos may include name plaques identifying the boat or skipper’s name. 

The first WYC race is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21. This will be a practice race and not count toward flags or awards. All racers are encouraged to participate to get their boats and crews into shape for the upcoming season. The club is also planning a Fish Fry for April 23. You may bring your photos on either dates or anytime afterward, whenever the club is open. 
 
framed boat photos
Frames should be plain black or brown and no more than 1″ in width on all four sides.


We hope that all members submit photos for our “Wall of Fame”! If your photo does not have a plaque identifying the boat or owner, please identify your photo in another way so we know who it belongs to.
 
Please make sure all frames are plain black or brown and no more than 1″ in width on all four sides. The maximum dimensions of any framed photo should be no more than 12″ x 13″. At this time we’d like to hang photo only in portrait mode. 

WYCYF Fundraiser location
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WYCYF Junior Sail Waterfront Tailgate

Welcome Family, Friends, and Alumni of WYC Junior Sail! Join WYCYF for this event filled with energy and anticipation of summer winds on Lake Michigan!

The Waterfront Tailgate is their kick-off fundraising event for the summer of 2021. Pack up your coolers and deck chairs for some tailgating fun on the lakefront. Bring your own food or preorder PIZZAS for pick up at the event.

Join us for this great new fundraising event to support WYCYF Junior Sailing! Waukegan Yacht Club Youth Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations made at the event may be deductible and documentation will be available during the event or you may choose to have it emailed after for your tax purposes.

Poor weather/rain date is May 2. Announcements will be made via email by 9 AM on May 1 if the rain date is necessary

Click here to Register

WYC Cruise schedule set for 2021

Below you will find the cruising schedule for the Waukegan Yacht Club Cruisers. All boaters are welcome to join us, motor and sail. 

Cruisers assemble at dawn at St Joseph River Yacht Club
Cruisers assemble at dawn at St Joseph River Yacht Club
  • Winthrop, IL – May 8. Practice Cruise. We will cruise up to the harbor and have lunch and then return. You welcome to stay the night and return the next day.
  • Muskegon, MI – Memorial Day Weekend. Leave on Friday, return on Monday or Sunday, depending on wind and weather.
  • Chicago, IL – (Montrose, Belmont or Monroe)  June 26. We will pick the final destination closer to the date. 
  • St Joe, MI – July 24 (Alternate: New Buffalo). Final destination will be designated closer to the departure date. 
  • Milwaukee, WI – Aug 14. WYC is working on a new port-to-port race which will have a cruising division. 
  • Racine, WI. – Sept 18. This is a long time traditional race. Racers and Cruisers are welcome to participate. 
  • Kenosha, WI – Sept 25. This is part of our traditional Last Race, Race. Racers and Cruisers are welcome to participate.

The WYC Cruisers are dedicated to cruising and will pick nearby destinations from time to time for impromptu cruises. Join our mailing list if you’d like to be added to our mailing list to be notified of upcoming cruises.  

For scheduled cruises you are welcome to reserve a pier or other accommodation at the destination harbor. Most reservations can be cancelled up to the same day as arrival. 

If you do not have a boat, let us know you are interested in joining the cruise as crew! We will pair you up with a boat. 

Please join us for all our cruises!

Click here to join our mailing list

Cleaning tools
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Thanks to all who participated in our Spring Clean Up at the Club!

You are the greatest asset
of the club!

On Saturday, April 17th, 24 members and guests gathered for the Spring Clean Up and tackled a daunting challenge! The club was closed most of 2020 and had not been cleaned and maintained for nearly a year. Bo Harper, Howard Fassnacht and Jim Maivald planned and organized a cleaning crew of volunteers to tackle this big job and many people stepped up and pitched in. Thanks to all of you who answered the call!

Please thank these members and guests next time you see them! If you helped out and don’t see your name, please let me know and we will correct the oversight!

Derek Barlass Non-member
Jonathan Burba Member, Director
Kim Burns Non-member
Walter Burns Non-member
Fred Byergo Member
Bob Christiansen Member
Jeff Davenport Member
Bernie Dekok Non-member
Howard Fassnacht Members, Rear Commodore
Jason Fergurson Member, Commodore
Bo Harper Member, Vice Commodore
Anna Kepinski Member
Jim Maivald Member, Director
Susan Maivald Member
Alice McAvoy Non-member
Sean O’Neil Member
Collin Palmer Member
Dave Perrone Member
Kathy Sivia Member, Past Commodore
Tom Sivia Member
Randy Syme Member
Russ Valin Member
CJ Villaini Non-member
Nancy Villaini Non-member
cleaning the front of the club
Cleaning the front of the club

 

cleaning the front of the club
We cleaned front and back, inside and out.

 

We cleaned front and back, inside and out.
The power washer was busy all day.

 

garbage bags fill with leaves and branches
Garbage bags filled with leaves and branches

 

All sides of the club were cleaned
All sides of the club were cleaned.

 

carpets were cleaned
The carpets were cleaned throughout the club.

 

even the backyard was cleaned
Even the backyard was cleaned and tidied up.

 

Carpets cleaned
Window were cleaned inside and out.
Learn RC racing and sailing
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RC Iceberg Regatta

Come join the fun and race your RC sailboat!
All RC Sailors are welcome!

Date/Time: March 20 at 12 noon.
Cost: $20 at the door.

Food/Beverage: pizza, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. (Donation to consume)

Prizes: First, Second and Third place trophies.

Races: 2 practice races.
3 prize races.

Obtain your sail numbers by clicking here

If you cannot obtain sail numbers prior to the race
please bring proof of purchase to the race.

Click this link to reserve your spot for the Regatta

Space limited to 25 people per state mandate

$20 cash at door for members and guests

WYC Trapshooting
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2nd Annual WYC trap shoot set for April 3

The second WYC trapshooting event is scheduled for Saturday, April 3, at noon. The event is open to all WYC members and guests.

The event will be hosted at the McHenry Sportsmen’s Club in Johnsburg, Illinois. You do not have to own or bring your own shotgun, there will be extra shotguns so everyone can shoot. Trapshooting is conducted in “rounds”. A round consisted of 25 clays at 5 separate stations. The shooting started at noon and everyone will be able to shoot as least three rounds. The fee covers three rounds but you are welcome to shoot more. An additional fee will be paid on site.

Trapshooting event
WYC members and guests shooting trap in 2020.

Click to Register and Pay in Advance

Get your own FOID card

Although you don’t need a FOID card to shoot you do need one to buy your own ammunition or a gun. We plan on scheduling future events. So you may want to apply for a card as soon as possible. You can apply for a FOID card by clicking the following button:

FOID Card website

Note processing of FOID cards has been very slow due to the pandemic. You may not be able to obtain the card before April 3rd. Children may also obtain a FOID card if sponsored by a FOID carrying adult or guardian.

RC Boat build
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Saturday RC Boat Build Continues Saturday, Feb 13! Correction!

 

Final build Saturday!

Saturday – Feb 13 – 10am

Correction: RC boat build continues on Saturday, Feb 13.
Only the practice racing was postponed. Sorry for the confusion 

Doors open at 10am!

Unfortunately, Waukegan harbor froze solid over the last week
and is unsuitable for practice sailing.

RC Build at WYC

The RC Regatta has been tentatively scheduled for May 6, 2021.
If the weather permits racing at an earlier date,
we will send out another notice.

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