MICHIGAN SAILING CLUB

FAQ’s

MESSAGE FROM SKIPPER MEG

We’re glad you found us! We’re a fun-loving group of people who like to sail, windsurf, paddle, swim, fish, enjoy the lake and each other’s company. Below is an introduction to how the club works and the many activities we offer. Please ask questions and offer suggestions. We’re happy to have you as a new member!

Fair Winds,
Meg G.

INTRODUCTION

While we provide sailing instruction to our members, we are NOT a sailing school. Our membership is made up of people who love sailing (all skill levels- including those who have never sailed but want to learn) and those who want to be part of a sailing community that includes volunteering, teaching, making friends, meeting new people, racing, windsurfing, and being part of a club.

If you are interested in only learning to sail and not volunteering your time to the club, we can recommend some great schools nearby including:

POLICY

Non-members are NOT eligible to sign up or apply for ANY Learning Opportunities. If you are basing your decision to join the Club contingent upon being able to participate in a specific Learning Opportunity, we will not do that and thus, we are probably not the right fit for you. If you want to participate, become a member, and make new friends, we would love to have you.

FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO BECOME A MEMBER:

  1. Note: We are not a sailing school.
  2. Note: We are a co-operative that requires members like you to volunteer your time in order to function.
  3. Read: Our webpage and FAQ’s BELOW thoroughly as they are likely to answer most of your questions.
    1. If you still have questions, see #4.
  4. Schedule: A tour, any further questions you have will be answered by a tour guide during your visit.
  5. Pay dues: Either now or after your tour and come join us!

I’VE JUST BECOME A MEMBER. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

  1. Schedule a tour if you have not done so already.
  2. Get a life jacket.
  3. Come to the club to hang out when we’re open and meet us.
  4. Start studying for your Basic Rating!

ARRIVAL: When you come out to the club, please bring a life jacket, soft-soled shoes, a towel and change of clothes, lunch or a snack, and something to drink. Please, no alcohol and no pets. No food or beverages are available at the club.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Any adult member may access the Club grounds and facilities on their own whenever they wish once you have received Gate Training, however, Basic rated members may only sail a Club boat when the Club is “Open for Sailing.” If you want to use the grounds when we’re not open for sailing, sign up for Gate Training to receive a quick briefing on the proper procedures.

OPEN SAILING or OPEN FOR SAILING

It means just that – any member who has a Basic rating may rig up and sail a Club boat.  We are open for “Open Sailing” any time a Helm Rated member or Skipper volunteers to open the club.  The primary method of indicating when we are open for sailing is our Activity Schedule. The secondary method is via our Discussion List. In general, you can expect someone to open weekend days and weekday evenings but sometimes we are open in the evening on weekends or during the day on weekdays. I just depends on the weather and individuals personal schedules.

RATING SYSTEM

In order to use our sailboats and windsurfers, we ask our members to pass a series of tests to demonstrate their sailing ability and knowledge – this is the Basic Rating.

  1. Once you earn a Basic Rating you may take out a club sailboat or windsurfer any time the club is “Open for Sailing.”  We encourage all of our members to earn a Basic Rating.  If you already know how to sail, you should be able to earn a Basic rating very quickly.
  2. The next step is a Helm Rating. Helm members can hold the club Open Sailing in winds up to 15 knots. To earn the Helm Rating you’ll need to demonstrate an intermediate level of sailing ability and knowledge.
  3. The highest rating is Skipper.  Skippers may sail anytime they want.

SAILBOATS & WINDSURFERS

The club has a variety of sailboats and windsurfers.  All are available for use by rated club members. Different people like different boats, and some of us like to sail different boats depending on our mood.  Feel free to try them all to see what you like.  It’s a good idea to have someone help you the first time you try to rig a new boat.We ask that whenever you take out a boat that you sign it out on the sign-out sheet, and check the box on the form when you return.

LIFE VESTS (PFD’S)

State law requires at least one PFD of the proper size for each person aboard. Children under 6 years of age must wear a PFD while underway in any boat. It is recommended  that everyone wear a PFD while out on the water.

We require that anyone using any club boat (including SUPS, kayaks, & canoes) must follow all laws and must wear a PFD.

CANOES, KAYAKS, & SUP’S

Members are welcome to use the paddle-craft anytime – there’s no need for someone to be here or for the Club to be “Open for Sailing.” Once you are Gate Trained, come out and take out the paddle-craft or just hang out and enjoy the lawn and lake. Just like the sailboats, we ask that you sign the paddle-craft in and out, and if you are going to paddle to another lake on the chain we ask that you say where you are going and when you expect to be back. You must follow all laws and must wear a PFD unless they have passed the swim test of the Basic Rating.

GENERAL INFO ABOUT EQUIPMENT USE

The basic idea is that we all share the club together.  If you use something, put it away.  Clean up after yourself in the kitchen and boathouse. If you notice something is broken, either repair it or call attention to it.   If we are  running low on some supply, let others know.

SWIMMING

Members are welcome to swim in the area near the dock. Note: we do not have a lifeguard or a designated swim area.  Swimming out into the lake past the dock and swim raft is not recommended – there are lots of motorboats around and it’s hard to see a swimmer in the water. We have swimming buoys located in the locker at the end of the dock. You are more than welcome to connect them from the dock to the swimming raft as an added safety measure to alert boaters in the area of swimmers. Please return the buoy line to the locker when you are finished.

EMAIL & SOCIAL MEDIA

The club has several email distribution lists:

  • Announcements: The first is a low-traffic, moderated announcements list. This list includes the club’s schedule, special events, business meetings, and more.
  • Discussion: The Discussion List is for members to talk about anything to do with sailing and the Club. This also is where Helms and Skippers will announce if they plan on opening the Club.
  • Racing: The third is a list for the racing program – anything and everything to do with racing at the club. e.g. arrange crew/skipper pairings, rides to the club, figure out who’s setting the course, discuss rules, racing tips, etc.
  • Windsurfing: Great for finding out what is going on with the windsurfers and when they plan on sailing.
  • Carpooling: For anyone that wants or needs to carpool.
  • Instructors List: A list for anyone who loves to teach sailing to others and wants to volunteer passing on their sailing knowledge to beginner members.
  • Dock-master’s Helpers: For those willing or interested in helping out around the Club. There are always various projects going on. Sign up to stay informed about what we are working on now and how you can help.

To sign up for any of these lists please go here:SUBSCRIBE

FACEBOOK

We’re also on Facebook:

RACING

There is no better way to sharpen your sailing skills than by racing.  Plus, it’s a heck of a lot of fun!  You don’t need any experience or special knowledge to get involved with the racing, just a willingness to try.  Simply show up and ask to crew for someone.  We race informally every Sunday (10am). We do several formal regattas throughout the season. Check the club racing calendar for details.

THE BOARD

The sailing club is managed by the Executive Board which is elected for a one-year term each October. The positions are: Commodore, Vice Commodore, Treasurer, Secretary, Dockmaster, Fleet Captain, and Racing Chair. The board meets once a month either in person or via Zoom. We encourage all members to come to our meetings.

GUESTS

We encourage our members to bring their friends and family out to the club. However, in order to keep dues as low as they are we ask that guests who come on a regular basis become members. Official policy (in the club constitution) is that no one may participate in sailing more than twice a year as a guest. Please make sure any guests bring and wear their PFD‘s.

INTERNET

We have wireless internet. The password is in the three ring binder on the table in the kitchen or ask a member.

THANK YOU

Thank you for reading this all the way through. We hope you found it useful. When you schedule a tour we will go over the details in more depth and be happy to answer any additional questions you might have. See you at the lake!

 

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