The interest was amazing for our first WYC SEAFOOD FRIDAY! Unfortunately, we have run out of space for this Friday, August 19th! We will be scheduling another date in September! Stay tuned for details. Thanks to everyone participating.
Sea you there!
Save the Dates! WYC will be hopping this Fall
The Social Committee has been working hard to set up our social calendar this Fall. Check out the offerings below. Mark your calendar and join us for some exciting new and traditional events! Details of each event will be sent out soon
Waukegan Yacht Club 2022 Calendar |
||
|---|---|---|
August |
||
| Saturday, August 13, 2022 | Milwaukegan Race Dinner at WYC | |
| Friday, August 19, 2022 | WYC Crab Boil | |
| Thursday, August 25, 2022 | Ice cream Social | |
| Saturday, August 27, 2022 | End of Season w/ Elvis | |
September |
||
| Friday, September 2, 2022 | HAMM It Up | |
| Friday, September 9, 2022 | Race/Cruise to Winthrop | |
| Friday, September 16, 2022 | WYC Crab Boil | |
| Friday, September 16, 2022 | Race/Cruise to Racine | |
| Friday, September 23, 2022 | Race/Cruise to Kenosha (Last Race Race) | |
October |
||
| Saturday, October 1, 2022 | OktoberFest | |
| Friday, October 7, 2022 | HAMM It Up | |
| Saturday, October 15, 2022 | Black and Blues Dinner (live music) | |
| Saturday, October 22, 2022 | Clean Up Drive | |
| Monday, October 24, 2022 | NWS Sailing | |
| Thursday, October 27, 2022 | Halloween party | |
November |
||
| Friday, November 4, 2022 | HAMM It Up | |
| Sunday, November 13, 2022 | Sail Awards | |
| Wednesday, November 23, 2022 | Thanksgiving | |
December |
||
| Friday, December 2, 2022 | HAMM It Up | |
| Saturday, December 17, 2022 | Commodore’s Ball | |
Small Boat Sunday at WYC Cancelled due to rain
Unfortunately, due to rain and a forecast of thunderstorms all day, we have cancelled Small Boat Sunday today. We will reschedule the event as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The 2nd Annual Milwaukegan is almost here
Scheduled for August 13th, the 2nd Annual Milwaukegan is only one week away! It not too late to sign up, registration is still open. Early bird price has been extended! The race is starting in Milwaukee this year and finishes in Waukegan and covers about 42 nautical miles along the shoreline of Wisconsin and northern Illinois.
A big party and dinner for Friday, August 12 at Milwaukee Yacht Club. All racers and members are invited to attend. The race starts at 8am and finishes of the Waukegan North Harbor entrance. The Club will be open for dinner Saturday night and all members and racers are welcome. Come out and congratulate the winners!
Race Rules and Procedures
Do you know the rules of racing and race procedures? It’s come to our attention that many racers either don’t know some basic rules or don’t pay attention to the signals from the Committee Boat. Many racers have become complacent and accustomed to the procedures followed by committee boats in the past or ones from clubs they may have belonged to in the past. It’s vital that all racers understand what signals can be given by the Committee boat and what they mean to maintain safety and make racing fun and enjoyable.
WYC follows the latest edition (2021-2022) of the Racing Rules of Sailing that you can find at this link.
The most important rule in racing is that the Committee Boat is in charge at all times. All racers should observe the Committee Boat prior to starting a race and obey all signals and commands when given. Remember, commands may be given by radio, hail, flags, horn or cannon. For WYC races, boats should always monitor VHF channel #69. However, radios malfunction and signals are not always received. If a racer is not responding to a radio hail racers nearby the boat being hailed should relay the message, if possible.
Avoid Collisions
“Safety” guides all rules and racing procedures. All racers must do whatever it takes to avoid a collision at all times. No privilege or rule of the road gives you the “right” to collide with another boat or racer. If another boat or racer violates a racing rule and causes you to change course or miss a mark you may protest that boat but you must avoid a collision if possible to do so. Redress will be made after the race if the violator does not take a proper redress on the course.
Checking in
All racers are required to check-in at the committee boat prior to first warning. Do not check-in during any starting sequence. So, it is important that all racers be at the starting area sufficiently early to check-in prior to first warning.
Sections
All racers are assigned to a racing section. WYC uses three sections when sufficient racers are present. When checking in, the racer should announce the boat name and section it is racing that night. If possible, racers should fly the number pennant associated with their assigned section.
Section 1
The number 1 flag is a white pennant with a red dot. Section 1 is a Spinnaker section for the fastest PHRF racers.
Section 2
The number 2 flag is a blue pennant with a white dot. Section 2 is a Spinnaker section for the slower PHRF racers.
Section 3
The number 3 flag is a red, white and blue pennant. Section 1 is a section for the non-spinnaker racers. Racers in spinnaker section may fly a spinnaker or choose not to. Racers in Section 3 may not fly a spinnaker during the race at any time.
Starting Sequence
The starting sequence is determined solely by the Race Committee on the Committee Boat. While the First Warning and Start Time is published in the Notice of Races and on the website, the Race Committee may change this at any time without prior notice. Please observe and obey signals given by the Race Committee on station.
The starting sequence normally starts with Section 3 (slower boats) and finishes with Section 1 (fastest boats). If insufficient racers are present, Sections 1 & 2 may be combined to save time.
The starting sequence starts when the Section flag or pennant is raised with a horn signal.
First warning Section 3
Section 3 pennant is raised, one (1) horn blast.
Prep Flag Raised
One (1) minute after First Warning. One (1) horn blast.
Prep Flag Lowered
Four (4) minutes after First Warning. One (1) horn blast.
Section 1 Start
Five (5) minutes after First Warning. One (1) horn blast or one (1) cannon blast.
When Section 1 starts, the starting sequence for Section 2 commences in the same fashion.
Over Early
No racer may cross the starting line prior to the start for their section. A boat that does is considered over early and must turn back and recross the line. During this procedure the racer may not interfere with any other racer either in their own section or the section in its starting sequence. The Race Committee may signal that a boat is over early by voice or radio hail. All racers should monitor VHF channel #69 and relay the signal to any offender if they do not hear the hail.
Postponed Race
When condition are unfavorable for starting a race the Race Committee may decide to postpone the start anticipating that conditions will improve. In that situation the Committee Boat will fly the AP flag.
When you see the AP flag it indicates the race is postponed temporarily. When this flag is lowered, it indicates that the first warning will be given in one (1) minute.
Abandoned Race
When conditions have not improved or degrade to a point where it is unsafe or impossible to start or finish a race the Race Committee will fly the November (N) flag.
When you see the November (N) flag it indicates the race is abandoned for the night and boats are free to return to the harbor.
Other flags
Click here for a handy website resource for what racing flags can be used and what they mean.
I hope this email was helpful. Please share it with you crews and other sailors. Feel from to send in questions and comments to sail@waukeganyachtclub.com
Blessing of the Fleet Fun Family Affair
The Waukegan Yacht Club conducted its annual Blessing of the Fleet Saturday, June 11, 2022. The club was open all day Saturday for the first time this year. The club offered a sumptuous menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was great to see people in the club on a Saturday.
All boaters were invited to participate and several brought their boats to the club decorated smartly for the ceremony. Families were in attendance with their kids and grandkids
Commodore Jason Fergurson kicked off the Blessing by welcoming our members, guests and participants and introducing Mayor Ann Taylor of Waukegan. The mayor spoke and remarked how Waukegan’s past, present and future were tied to Lake Michigan and the harbor. She talked about how the city was focused on developing the harbor as a major attraction to draw people and business to the area. Following the mayor’s remarks, an Episcopal priest from Waukegan began the blessing ceremony.
After the Blessing, everyone gathered inside the club in our lobby to install the name plates for our last four commodores. Over the last seven years the club was focused on building membership, providing fun events and serving our members, not on honoring our commodores. But, over the last year WYC doubled our membership and the board thought it was time we recognized the hard work invested by our commodores over the last decade. Name plates were ordered and received earlier this year. The board decided that the best time to install these name plates was during the Blessing of the Fleet. Plates were installed for Barbara Gunther, Kathy Sivia, Jim Hellquist and Jason Fergurson. Unfortunately, two of these commodores, Barbara Gunther and Jim Hellquist, have passed away prior to having their name plates created and installed. We were fortunate to be joined by Jim’s daughter, Kristin, who spoke about her father’s legacy and dedication to Waukegan Yacht Club.
Kathy Sivia and Jason Fergurson spoke to thank everyone for coming and accept the honor of joining the long list of people who dedicated their efforts to continuing the history and traditions of Waukegan Yacht Club. We thank all of them for their hard work. Also, kudos to Bo Harper and his crew for making it a great day for everyone! The food and service at the club has never been better.
WYC Porthole – Coming Back Soon!
Here is the WYC June Porthole.
2022 WYC spring clean up big success!
WYC worked with the Waukegan Port District this Earth Day to clean up the harbor and the yacht club grounds! Volunteers arrived early to get a head start on the tasks. First on the list was clearing the leaves from last fall.
This time, we got them all and more. It’s been a long time since the boatyard has been this clean.
After the boatyard was finished, some of the volunteers moved inside the club and shampooed the carpeting.
We had a smaller crew than last year, but the volunteers made up for their small numbers with enthusiasm and energy! The volunteers were then treated to drinks and food, including their choice of hamburgers and brats.
I want to take this opportunity to personally thank the volunteers by name. Waukegan Yacht Club does not have full time paid staff, so many things at the club has to be done by members and other volunteers. If you see the following people around the club give them a high-five and a personal thank you! Come by the club and check out how good it looks! Hope to see you in the club soon.
2022 Spring Clean Up Volunteers:
Andy and Ed Barrie
Fred Byergo
Bob Christenson
Matt Dolinar
Ellen Hunter and Sandie
Bob Klueg
Howard Larson
Nikki Sullivan
Fred Byergo
Bob Christenson
Matt Dolinar
Ellen Hunter and Sandie
Bob Klueg
Howard Larson
Nikki Sullivan
Thanks to everyone who participated!
2022 WYC Race Schedule is now posted
The WYC Sail Committee has been working feverishly to complete our 2022 Race Schedule. It has been posted to the website and can be viewed at the following link.
Racing starts Wednesday, May 4, but we will be scheduling at least one practice race prior to that date. Stay tuned for more details! This year looks like a great year for Waukegan Yacht Club. Hope to see you out on the water.
First Milwaukegan fantastic race!
The inaugural Milwaukegan Race went off beautifully over the weekend. We had 23 boats register and 20 boats started the race Saturday morning.
Waukegan Yacht Club hosted an amazing party Friday for the racers supplying all the racers with tasty food and cold beverages! A live DJ entertained the crowd and got people up and dancing. We even had a fun raffle of great prizes.
Everything was set for the start of the race the next day. The start of the race was greeted with sunny cloudless sky and light winds from the northwest. It looked like the race would be a challenge for many of the boats. Light wind boats moved out nicely and soon were leading the pack. But by the time the fleet got to Kenosha the winds flipped around to the south and rose and fell the rest of the day but held steady from the south.
Boats with symmetrical spinnakers had the definite advantage over racers with asyms or none at all. With the winds dead from the south it was a run the whole way to Wind point. Many of the racers headed out northeast looking for more wind but that turned out to be fruitless for most.
By sunset, the fastest boats were starting to pull into Milwaukee and tying up at the Milwaukee Yacht Club (MYC). The first boat finished around 7:30pm and the last one came in around 9:30pm. The MYC kitchen stayed open late for the racers and the club treated everyone to free beer. It was satisfying ending to a wonderful day of racing.
Since no one knew what time the racers would arrive in Milwaukee, the race committee decided on a morning award breakfast. On Sunday, the sun rose in a cloudless blue sky and the racers assembled in the MYC boat house for the awards ceremony. Waukegan provided nearly half of the racers for this years’ contest and we took home our share of flags.
Thanks to all the planners, volunteers and racers for making this a new tradition on the Great Lakes! We could not have done this without you!