Hi Everyone,
I hope you all had a great weekend. Friday afternoon the skies opened up about 2 PM. It was quickly over by about 3 PM. Several people were up and another family looking for a slip for a Catalina 25 will soon be joining us. We had a small group socializing on Friday evening. Another rain storm came through about 1 AM. Saturday came bright and sunny.
There wasn’t a planned club event but many help celebrate Steve’s birthday this weekend. I want to thank a great host and hostess for showing everyone a great time. About noontime the fleet started to head out. The winds were light between 4-6 knots. It was a gentle sail up to Henderson Point. Odyssey anchoring served as the beacon for “X marks the spot”. By 3 PM, the fleet started to anchor off. In all we had about 12 boats anchored off and 2 boat people drive over to the campground. People went to the sandy beach to swim or brought their chairs to sit in the shade. By 4 PM, we had divided up into Team Eddie and Team Chesley for a rousing game of volleyball. During the first game, we had teams of 6. We had so intense volleys. This game served as a warm-up. The dinner bell rang at the end of the game and everyone enjoyed a southern Barbeque dinner and all the fixings. Afterwards, people had to be roused to work off the delicious dinner with a volleyball challenge. This time, we had teams of 7. The courts sides were switched so that Team Eddie now had the low side and Team Chesley had the high court. This was a challenging game. Hats off to Mel, Chesley, Dan, Eddie, Steve and several others for making some amazing plays and volleys. Game 2 was close but Team Eddie won. Game 3 the courts were switched. Again some awesome and unbelievable volleys and saves. Game 3 was again won be Team Eddie. I am certain that several members of both teams will be feeling the exhilaration and soreness in the days to follow. After the game it was time to cool off with a swim. Birthday cake soon followed. Several sailors headed back to their boats and others remained to enjoy the campfire. Several boats anchored out for the night with others returning to the marina for a little AC.
While we were gathered, we really enjoyed the site and thought it would make a better location than the Moorings for our Luau. It had a sandy beach, a grassy area for volleyball, shade for sitting, an area for a campfire, port-a-potties and bathrooms and nice anchorage. We can drive the stuff over to the site and set up on Friday then return and sail over to spend the night. The group site is available for the weekend of the Luau.
I hope you all had a great weekend. Friday afternoon the skies opened up about 2 PM. It was quickly over by about 3 PM. Several people were up and another family looking for a slip for a Catalina 25 will soon be joining us. We had a small group socializing on Friday evening. Another rain storm came through about 1 AM. Saturday came bright and sunny.
There wasn’t a planned club event but many help celebrate Steve’s birthday this weekend. I want to thank a great host and hostess for showing everyone a great time. About noontime the fleet started to head out. The winds were light between 4-6 knots. It was a gentle sail up to Henderson Point. Odyssey anchoring served as the beacon for “X marks the spot”. By 3 PM, the fleet started to anchor off. In all we had about 12 boats anchored off and 2 boat people drive over to the campground. People went to the sandy beach to swim or brought their chairs to sit in the shade. By 4 PM, we had divided up into Team Eddie and Team Chesley for a rousing game of volleyball. During the first game, we had teams of 6. We had so intense volleys. This game served as a warm-up. The dinner bell rang at the end of the game and everyone enjoyed a southern Barbeque dinner and all the fixings. Afterwards, people had to be roused to work off the delicious dinner with a volleyball challenge. This time, we had teams of 7. The courts sides were switched so that Team Eddie now had the low side and Team Chesley had the high court. This was a challenging game. Hats off to Mel, Chesley, Dan, Eddie, Steve and several others for making some amazing plays and volleys. Game 2 was close but Team Eddie won. Game 3 the courts were switched. Again some awesome and unbelievable volleys and saves. Game 3 was again won be Team Eddie. I am certain that several members of both teams will be feeling the exhilaration and soreness in the days to follow. After the game it was time to cool off with a swim. Birthday cake soon followed. Several sailors headed back to their boats and others remained to enjoy the campfire. Several boats anchored out for the night with others returning to the marina for a little AC.
While we were gathered, we really enjoyed the site and thought it would make a better location than the Moorings for our Luau. It had a sandy beach, a grassy area for volleyball, shade for sitting, an area for a campfire, port-a-potties and bathrooms and nice anchorage. We can drive the stuff over to the site and set up on Friday then return and sail over to spend the night. The group site is available for the weekend of the Luau.
On Sunday, the day was sunny with very blue skies. The heat was creeping back up. Winds were light. Several members who stayed overnight started to return. The Auxiliary Coast Guard came down the dock offering to do safety checks on the boats.
Several people headed out for a sail if possible. We headed up to Kimble Point watch the Carolina Sailing Club race, but by the time we got there, they were ending. We anchored off the back sandy side of Kimble Point. The water and sky looked so blue it reminded me of the tropics. We swam to the sandy beach and saw the fish in the shallows. We saw Unplugged and Tail Wind doing a leisurely sail back from the rock wall. Tenacious motored out and rafted up with us. We spent several hours in the water. Petie even joined us in the water. There was a gentle rolling of waves. It was a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon. We headed back to the marina to close up shop and head home. Of course, we made our traditional dinner stop at Zerdos. Great weekend and thanks to everyone for an enjoyable time.
1. Next weekend is our overnight trip to Clarksville for Lakefest. Lakefest is a street fair in Clarksville. They have lots of artists of all kinds selling things at booths. The weather is looking great for the weekend so far with temperatures in the 80’s and night time temperatures in mid to upper 60’s. I know that we have a number of new members. I am going to remind you that if you are going to make the trip up, then make sure that all of your lights are working. This is a big event and Wildlife, Sheriff and Auxiliary Coast Guard will be out ticketing. There are the town docks for short time docking but no over-nighting. It will be very crowded during Lakefest. Most of our boats will anchor in Condo Cove (nearest cove to the town) or if you do not go under the bridge then the cove just on the other side of the bridge (you will need a motorized dinghy to get to shore). For those of you in small boats and want to stay at a motel there is the Lake Motel 101 Virginia Avenue, Clarksville - (434) 374-8106.
We need to remember that this is a man-made lake and that they did not remove all the trees when they flooded it. We need to be careful especially in areas that we are not familiar with and have not anchored before. Keep a dive mask on the boat for checking shallow stuck anchors. Also, there are several different bottom types in the lake, hard clay, soft mud and silt, and sand. Not all anchors hold the same on these bottom types. Have an anchor that is appropriate for the size of your boat and can best grab in these bottom types. Anchoring in a lake is different than in the ocean. In the sailing books they recommend the minimum scope for anchoring in good conditions is a ratio of chain against depth of water of 3:1 and a ratio of rope against depth of water of 5:1. (Keep it Simple Series page 240). In another book (Sailing Fundamentals), they recommend 7:1 ratio. Although I have not seen mention of both chain and rope, I suggest having plenty of chain on the anchor (a boat length) to hold the line down so the chances are reduced that the anchor will pull up. Make sure you have plenty of rode out to allow for swinging and shifting winds (5 times the depth or more). Last year a storm came up suddenly and several boats anchors slipped. Other discussions can be found at (http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/75401-length-anchor-line-depth-ratio.html). When leaving your boat to go to shore take a handheld VHF radio so you can be hailed if someone notices a problem while you are on shore. And finally, make sure that you have given the Steele Creek Yacht Club membership working phone or cell number.
Some of you may motor/sail part way up to Clarksville on Friday night. Others will leave early Saturday morning. (It takes about 4-5 hours to get to Clarksville which is about 20 miles away). Still others may just sail locally and drive up to Clarksville to enjoy the street fair and watch the fireworks Saturday night. There are no plans for a formal group dinner because it is very crowded and the restaurants are on a first come first serve basis. Remember the bridge height is 60’ at lake level 300’. The lake currently is about 300’. Please let me know if you are planning to head up Friday or Saturday or drive up on Saturday. I would like to have a idea of where everyone is for safety concerns.
1. Next weekend is our overnight trip to Clarksville for Lakefest. Lakefest is a street fair in Clarksville. They have lots of artists of all kinds selling things at booths. The weather is looking great for the weekend so far with temperatures in the 80’s and night time temperatures in mid to upper 60’s. I know that we have a number of new members. I am going to remind you that if you are going to make the trip up, then make sure that all of your lights are working. This is a big event and Wildlife, Sheriff and Auxiliary Coast Guard will be out ticketing. There are the town docks for short time docking but no over-nighting. It will be very crowded during Lakefest. Most of our boats will anchor in Condo Cove (nearest cove to the town) or if you do not go under the bridge then the cove just on the other side of the bridge (you will need a motorized dinghy to get to shore). For those of you in small boats and want to stay at a motel there is the Lake Motel 101 Virginia Avenue, Clarksville - (434) 374-8106.
We need to remember that this is a man-made lake and that they did not remove all the trees when they flooded it. We need to be careful especially in areas that we are not familiar with and have not anchored before. Keep a dive mask on the boat for checking shallow stuck anchors. Also, there are several different bottom types in the lake, hard clay, soft mud and silt, and sand. Not all anchors hold the same on these bottom types. Have an anchor that is appropriate for the size of your boat and can best grab in these bottom types. Anchoring in a lake is different than in the ocean. In the sailing books they recommend the minimum scope for anchoring in good conditions is a ratio of chain against depth of water of 3:1 and a ratio of rope against depth of water of 5:1. (Keep it Simple Series page 240). In another book (Sailing Fundamentals), they recommend 7:1 ratio. Although I have not seen mention of both chain and rope, I suggest having plenty of chain on the anchor (a boat length) to hold the line down so the chances are reduced that the anchor will pull up. Make sure you have plenty of rode out to allow for swinging and shifting winds (5 times the depth or more). Last year a storm came up suddenly and several boats anchors slipped. Other discussions can be found at (http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/75401-length-anchor-line-depth-ratio.html). When leaving your boat to go to shore take a handheld VHF radio so you can be hailed if someone notices a problem while you are on shore. And finally, make sure that you have given the Steele Creek Yacht Club membership working phone or cell number.
Some of you may motor/sail part way up to Clarksville on Friday night. Others will leave early Saturday morning. (It takes about 4-5 hours to get to Clarksville which is about 20 miles away). Still others may just sail locally and drive up to Clarksville to enjoy the street fair and watch the fireworks Saturday night. There are no plans for a formal group dinner because it is very crowded and the restaurants are on a first come first serve basis. Remember the bridge height is 60’ at lake level 300’. The lake currently is about 300’. Please let me know if you are planning to head up Friday or Saturday or drive up on Saturday. I would like to have a idea of where everyone is for safety concerns.
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