The Midwestern Com-Pac Rendezvous Carlyle Lake, Illinois

[DOUG142]

This is it !!!  Today Friday August 8th kicks off the 2008 Midwestern Com-pac Rendezvous.
See you at Carlyle Lake, Illinois

For more info see other Midwestern Rendezvous posts.

Happy Sailing

Doug and Linda
Summer Escape
On the road heading South

[Salty19]

Wow, what a great weekend of sailing at Carlyle this past weekend!

This is long, sorry in advance...check pics link at the bottom for the action.

A total of four CP16/I captains consisting of Roland Cobine, me, Doug142, John J and three crew members, Sarah, Linda and Becky got together in Carlyle for what turned out to be a really nice time for all.

Becky and I arrived Thursday after a 385+ mile drive, checked out the local sailboat marina next to the hotel and walked around the nearby park and dam, met up with Roland and Sarah for a beer, then got some rest.

Friday Becky and I sailed started sailing around 9:30 after the short drive to the ramp and setting up the boat. The winds were calm to light all day, so Becky and I just floated half-helpless around catching whatever breeze I could find and motoring some.  Somehow I managed to spill plenty of beer, despite the lack of heeling. I'll blame the Brazilian 80 proof /Bacardi 151 blend for the damage there.  Even though the winds were calm, we really enjoyed the big lake as we have only sailed two 5,000 acre lakes in our area. Carlyle is 28,000 acres so lots of water to explore. Becky and I just sat there smiling...ahhh...it takes all day to get nothing done.  We got about half way out by floating in the calm.  Sitting there hoping the outboard does not fail me!  Or something else doesn't go wrong.  Because there are almost no boats on this huge lake, and shore is a long way off!

We were in communication with Roland throughout the morning and hooked up with him and Doug, along with Sarah and Linda on the lake mid-afternoon.  Of course I motored over to them as they were having a hard time finding me on the big water.  We tied off, shook hands, passed the libations around, and listened to Jimmy Buffett on the MP3 player while getting to know each other a little.  We had been exchanging emails, so were not total strangers, but great to meet each other nonetheless.

We then decided to all head to the shore bank to stretch out a bit.  Not any wind to do much but kick the fiberglass and enjoy a cold one. Next we headed to the docks as it was getting late, teared down, back to the hotel and we all grabbed dinner at a local restaurant right next to the Microtel.  Decent food. Lousy service. The waitress hit Linda in the head and spilled water on Doug. Plus Becky's food was late.  The service was reflected in the tip!

Meanwhile next door, a small classic car show and party thing was going on. Several GTO's, mustangs and a mix of other muscle and 30's cars.  Steve, Sarah and I checked it out for a bit. Old cars are just plain cool.  Later on, as I was climbing into bed, they had a small burn out/drag display right outside of my hotel room window!  I didn't care at all, instead peering out salivating at the action. This lasted only about 15 minutes..again a small show, but cool nonetheless.  Plenty of burn out marks outside the next morning.

OK, this isn't a car forum, so back to sailing. So we all met Saturday morning 10:00am, JohnJ joined the crew with camping gear ready to go.  We all chatted a bit, John had the idea to sail to Boulder Sailboat Marina for a cheeseburger...that sounded good to everyone so we set sail and made our way over there.  John had problems raising his sail, so motored a bit to catch up.  The approximately 5 mile tack from dock to marina diagonally across the lake was the longest I've ever done....it was GREAT being in a huge lake and just riding the wind for that long of a tack.  John, Doug and I were wing over wing most of the time sailing directly downwind, Roland got caught in softer wind and was struggling to find it.  We all cheated a little and motored here and there, but I think we all sailed 90% of the time or more.  Real easy to spot the boats with new sails, they were in the lead.  We all had IDA or homemade IDA style rudders, and each boat had slightly different modifications that were mutually admired by all.

Around 2:30 we finally arrived at Boulder Marina and used the transient docks at the marina, on Margaritaville street no less. Very fitting as Buffet was still playing on the MP3 player. Doug, Linda, Becky and I are all fans, so that was funny to see. Anything Buffet related will make my wife happy, so her sore behind from the long sailing days was soon forgotten.  As it turned out, there were no cheeseburgers and no restaurant. Roland was a bit behind us but had a chance to rest a bit before we went back out. Becky and I had packed lunch and shared what we had, John and Doug found some snacks in the marina house, then we launched off.  A CP23 was at Boulder Marina awaiting it's captain! 

Leaving the marina and entering the small cove that opens quickly to the lake, I noticed Doug's boat had only the mainsail flying.  Given the wind was directly between us and the marina, I was a little nervous he would hit the rocky camp shore neatby. I called him on the radio to ask what's up....the reply was "My boats falling apart!!!".   Apparently the genoa track ripped itself right off his coaming!  So he tied the jib sheet to the rear cleat and continued on for awhile as best he could.  Eventually Doug motored across the lake most of the way.  We each took different tacks across, and it was fun to see the progress made by each boat as we sailed against the wind. The breeze kicked up as we approached about 1/3 of the way across and made for great sailing the rest of the way!  Mostly consistent 12-15 wind from one direction, so it made the tack across fun and easy. It died off a bit as we approached the treeline, but overall real fun for a couple of hours. 
I could tell that my boat was slower than the others when we got close on the same tack; my original Johnson sails are almost certainly the cause. New sails will be on the horizon for sure.   A memorable moment was when "This Hotel Room" from Buffetts' Havana Daydreamin' album –a real fun honky tonk sing-a-long came on the MP3 player for the 3rd time that weekend, the rum beer and wine was flowing, and we sung the parody laughing the whole time.  Meanwhile we completed lost track of Roland, despite his blue genoa.  These boats get darn small on a big lake!!! Doug informed me where he was, but still could not make visual contact with him.   I met up with John, passed over the rum and don't you know it...I kissed his hull with my port side a little harder than I intended. No damage or anything—tough boats and not a dramatic event, but a sign to take it easy and be more careful!!!  Becky and I continued on, trying to not get too intoxicated but rather snacked and dehydrated for a while.   Doug comes back on the radio bitchin and swearing...a powerboater shot right between him and Roland while sailing 50 feet apart. (Ahhh, I thought...Roland was BEHIND Doug—why I couldn't see him). The powerboater was an ass...circling around harassing them talking smack.  Doug only shrugged "What's the problem" when he powered at high speed in between them. So not exactly provoked.  Unfortunately they couldn't ID the boat to call it in the authorities. y Roland didn't have a gun with him; surely we would be hearing about it on the 6:00 news if he had.  But too bad they couldn't get him turned in...stupid redneck powerboater!!!

I didn't witness any of it, but man they were pissed off!

The day was about over, so most of us motored the last 20 minutes or so, loaded up and waited for the rest of gang to come in.  Showered up, ordered pizza and ate with Roland and Sarah then said ourgood byes. JohnJ went boat camping in the launch cove, Doug and Linda went back to get a burger and rest. Long day for everyone. 

Extra bonus:  Hutchins sent Hats, T-Shirts and Coffee Mugs as party favors.  Their hats are really nice and you stay cool with the nice liner.  THANK YOU HUTCHINS!!!!

Great weekend, great people, great boats!  Can't go wrong there!

Thanks guys for a memorable weekend.

Photos of our boats and shenanigans can be found here:

http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z290/yamaholic_mcarp/Compac%20Midwest%20Rendezvous%202008-%20Carlyle%20Lake/

[roland cobine]

   mike was right even though the wind wasn't the best a great time was had by all.like all events of this nature, some miscommunication occurred. my fault for that, but it was minor. i want to thank mike, becky, doug, linda and john for a wonderful weekend and if we can ever do it again we will have a big bbq at my house, drink some rum and beer and have some brats. it was a shame that the wind died on friday as the power boat traffic was very light. saturday there was quite a bit as doug and linda found out much to their chagrin. sorry about that doug. john stayed saturday night on his boat anchored in allens branch. the rest of the fleet hit the road for home sunday morning (again much thanks for driving so far). i met up with john on sunday morning and we sailed his boat until 230. the wind was perfect. and the power boats didn't really show up until about 2 (ill guess hangovers from Saturday's stupidity). john and i talked a lot and being a novice i learned a lot. one thing- you cant beat new sails. anyway thanks again john (e mail me at rocobine1@yahoo I'm considering the mark twain trip). to mike, doug and their lovely ladies-----if we do this again lets try for midweek and we can change the name of the lake to CP 16. the lake will be all ours. to all others on the site-----set up a similar meet in your area----you wont be disappointed .  CP rules

[HideAway]

RE Red Neck Power: 

The next time someone harasses you pull out your camera and get some photos then get on the radio and call the cops.  If there is any law on the water they will come to your aid.

I once had a power boat come so close we were splashed, actually got us wet, going into the Gulport (Fl) channel.  And that's not easy on a C23.   I went after him as fast as my 8 horses would run and caught him at the city ramp.  I got on the bull horn and explained why I came by -  no cussing - just told him  that I had his photo and boat numbers and if he did it again I would bring in the cops. I didn't have either but he did not know that for sure.  I was loud enough the marina manager, as well as a bunch of others came out and the marina manager has a discussion with him.  I didn't stick around.

While you must take action when these events occur a gun is not the way.  A few years ago a sailer anchored off Clearwater had someone firing bottle rockets at him.  The sailor fired back with his rifle.  Guess who went to jail even though it is illegal to possess bottle rockets in our county?

Fair winds and man the torpedoes!  M

[DOUG142]

Hideaway,

The referal to if Roland had a gun was a pun..... he is a retired COP.  And I am sure  he wouldn't shoot an unarmed powerboater.   Hope life never comes to that.

The guy that went right between the two of us was actually going full speed and my wife and I thought for sure he was going to turn off and go behind us....  So much for that.   

We will be posting pics later this weekend...meanwhile go to Salty16  link above and see some pretty good pics.

Doug
Summer Escape

[HideAway]

Doug,

Looks like you all had a good time in spite of the bozo.  There's nothing quite like loading some groceries into your boat and casting off the dock lines for awhile is there?  It's especially nice when you have other boats along to share the experience.  Matt

[mrb]

Good post,  loved the story and pictures.

Funny thing about the power boat incident.  I live in Arkansas now and most people probably think of Ar. red neck USA and that is true.  So far in my sailing ex. here I have not had one boat buzz me.  (Think a true red necks daddy taught him better manners).  In Washington state, the land of the sophisticated computer millionare. Power boaters seem to know nothing of water responsibility.  Working my way up Chanel to La Conner, no wake zone, 30 something power boat comming toward me leaving miner wake.  Behind him is comming mega power boat throwing hug wake.  I see mega comming so move to opposite side channel turn my boat to wake.  About then mega passes 30 something, (Pilot and wife on upper bridge) wake picks their boat up, throws then onto mud bank and luck for them as the wake recedes sucks them back into channel. They look at me I look at them we all shrug, mega gone so fast neither of us had time to see numbers or name.

Point is just because some one is a bad person doesn't make him a red neck, or else we have a lot of red necks on wall street and major corp. boards. Hmm maybe we could call stupid people c.e.o or somthing like that.
Fair winds off your beam    mrb

[curtisv]

Point is just because some one is a bad person doesn't make him a red neck, or else we have a lot of red necks on wall street and major corp. boards. Hmm maybe we could call stupid people c.e.o or somthing like that.
Fair winds off your beam    mrb

mrb,

Where I sail (Cape Cod, MA), boat wakes of the sort you describe are also rare but they happen.   I don't actually know of any quite that bad, with a wake temporarily grounding another boat.

I have two minor bad boat experiences to add.  In one I had a powerboat go by closely and force a change of course to meet his wake and a gybe.  The wind was light enough that I could catch the boom by hand, steer back and toss the boom back.  No big deal.  The other was what I think was a 65 foot sailboat under power (and headed downwind, obviously not much of a sailor).  This large yachty yacht was probably doing 15 knots and apparently wanted some good sightseeing near the Chatham lighthouse so came in closer to shore and barrelled through a bunch of guys on their skiffs and runabouts fishing.  Quite a few people focused on their fishing were taken by surprise but no one was tossed overboard.  This was irresponsible and could have caused some old guy to drown.  Fortunately nothing bad happenned.

Then I had a good incident with a boat wake.  I tried to sneak over the shoal at a place called Allen Point that is 1 foot MLW and heeled as I was I still had too much draft to make it.  I tightenned the sheets further and a motorboat came by and hit me with his wake and knock me off the shoal.  It was a rising tide but he probably saved me a bit of waiting.

AFAIK - There are few if any rednecks in MA so we can't blame boat wakes on rednecks.  There might be a lot of CEOs though.  That might not be a bad idea calling out to rude, stupid, disrespectful, or irresponsible  people "what are you a bank CEO or something".  Maybe it'll catch on.

Curtis

[mrb]

Thanks Curtis,

I really thought I was going to get some bad karma from that post.  Nice to hear that MA has considerate boaters mainly.  Washington has rental prestige boats and I have heard that if you have the money you get the boat.  Not a lot of instructions about courtesy or liability.  Must say it is a pleasure to sail there and stay at some of the state marine parks.  As a rule just a bunch of family's out having fun and teaching their children how to take care of themselves.

Cape Cod, Hmmm, I can visualize a trailer trip up the easter sea board in the future starting in Georgia to Main with some stops in between.  mrb

 

[Salty19]

+1 on heading to the East seaboard sometime.  I grew up in NJ and miss the close proximity of the ocean.

First I want to tackle the Lake Erie Islands.  Should be good training for the salt water. There are not currents, but the waves are nothing to sneeze at.  Not to mention the destination...Put-In-Bay.  One heck of a fun island that will bring you back time and time again.

Maybe summer of 2009?