The day sailor fleet is comprised of three boats:
The two daysailor fleet captains Craig Harris and Jay Kenney break and repair
these boats on a regular basis. They were helped out this spring by club member
and Lightning enthusiast, Billy Earnst who repaired the mast step for the Lightning.
As with most WYC projects, this one began with an adventure:
Craig had taken the Lightning to the Snooze and Cruise on Blake Island and had a delightful sail across the sound. The next morning, after taking into consideration both the high winds and his present state of being (the being, being up much of the night), Craig decided that he would play it safe and ride back on a keelboat, and tow the Lightning.
Some sailors who were not as cautious as Craig, and probably better rested, decided to sail the craft back home. So off they went out into a twenty-five knot southerly. The new crew (Will, Justin, John, and Laura) fought the lightening as far North as mid-way between Bainbridge Island and Elliot Bay where it finally succumbed to the forces of nature and capsized.
Jay, who was following in the whaler, picked up the wet crew and took the now turtled boat in tow to Shilshole were the boat was bailed and floated. Later, back at the WAC dock, they found that the spinnaker had gone missing. Over the course of the next year and a half, it was noticed that the rigging on the Lightning was getting loose. It was discovered that the tow back to Shilshole had damaged the step and the mast was slowly sinking into its damaged wood.
Such began the mast step repair project. In the course of time, many intelligent sailors have scratched their heads and offered many wild solutions. Billy finally repaired the mast step by placing an aluminum U-track with a slot cut in it over the damaged wood, and building a hardwood step that had a flange that fit into the slot. Nice work, Billy!
You can go down to the WYC docks and see the solution yourself. Just look for the little blue boat with many many halyards, sheets, and lines and a shiny new aluminum mast step.
While you're down there, look up Craig or Jay. Maybe they'll take you on a cruise.
Day sailor fleet classes are offered most quarters at the Washington Yacht
Club.
Commodores' Report/Index Big Cats Don't Right A Word About Instructors Dining on the Water Nautical Quotes Jen's Greek Journal Day Sailor Fleet News UW Sailing Club in The Daily New Year's Trip Report Rascal's Shakedown What's Wrong With This Picture?