From the Editor
As you’ve most likely noticed by now, The Telltale has a new look and feel. It’s better, brighter, and more readable. This is thanks to Meighan Depke, a new Sail Chicago member, but one who learned to sail with us over twenty years ago when we were still a part of American Youth Hostels. Meighan is taking over as editor of our monthly newsletter.
I am leaving this position knowing that it will be in capable hands. While I’ve loved working on the newsletter, I realize that it’s time to move on. I have been honored to be of service in this capacity to the Sail Chicago community, and I’m grateful for the many folks who have contributed articles over the years. You all have truly helped to make The Telltale a success!
— Steve VanderVoort, Editor 2011-2023
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We've Reached the End of an Era
It’s here — the first Sail Chicago newsletter in many years that hasn’t been edited by Steve Vandervoort. How many years, you ask? I’m not sure we know. The earliest newsletter in our online archive dates May, 2011. Who edited it? Yep, Steve Vandervoort!
For more than a decade, every month, Steve has been publishing this newsletter. He's been reaching out to Sail Chicago leadership and cajoling articles out of them. He's been carefully editing our mistakes. He's been choosing clip art and shrinking photos to provide us with a colorful, engaging read every month, for longer than many of us have been in the organization.
So a huge THANK YOU to Steve from all of us at Sail Chicago for many years of service! Be sure to thank him personally the next time you see him on the water!
— Gerry Stacy, Board Chairman
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Upcoming Social Events
Sail Chicago’s July Happy Hour will be held Tuesday, July 25, at One North Kitchen and Bar at 1 North Upper Wacker Drive. Members +1 can enjoy a free drink and tasty appetizers.
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Mark your calendar for these social events:
2023 Family & Friends Picnic: Belmont Harbor, August 12, 10:00am-5:00pm
2023 End of Season Dinner October 12, 2023 Columbia Yacht Club, 6:30pm-9:30pm
September Happy Hour: dates and location TBD
New Skippers Social: Save the date: Thursday, October 5th
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Looking for Volunteer Opportunities?
These positions are still open this summer to fulfill your service time requirement:
Membership Coordinator: answer questions from members and prospective members about Sail Chicago. This easy job can be done from your computer in just a couple hours a month!
Volunteer Team Member: match members to volunteer opportunities.
Instruction Team Member: track student records and proctoring the US Sail Keelboat Certification exam.
Tiller Time Skipper: for skippers with more than two years experience, students are always looking for opportunities to practice!
Host Member Cruise Outings: a no-brainer for experienced skippers — even those with one year of experience. Reserve a boat for free and get out on the water with other Sail Chicago members. What could be better?
Signup on at Sail Chicago Volunteer Positiions or email volunteer@sailchicago.org.
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 Free Rhodes 19 and Ideal 18 Orientations
Colgate skippers, would you like to expand your sailing possibilities? Consider getting oriented on one of our smaller keelboats, the Rhodes 19 or Ideals 18.
Both boats are fun to sail and quicker to maneuver than the Colgate, and have a different "feel" at the helm. Usage fees are less than the Colgate, and they can be sailed by as few as two people. Becoming qualified to sail a Rhodes or an Ideal can also give you more scheduling flexibility for private sails during busy times when other boats are in use.
To schedule an on-the-water orientation for either boat, visit mySailChicago and select Course Availability from the Instruction menu.
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How to become a Sail Chicago Skipper!
In our local Chicago sailing community and around the nation, US Sailing instruction programs are known for being rigorous. Sail Chicago is here to help you navigate the steps to becoming a Sail Chicago Skipper.
Step 1. Successfully complete the Skipper Prep Class. Your instructor will sign your OTW Checkout Form and send it to the Skipper Records manager.
Step 2. Pass the Sail Chicago online written exam. You can study the Colgate Standards booklet along with our Rules and Regulations to prepare. Your Skipper Prep class instructor will send the link to this exam once you have checked out.
Step 3. Complete the Basic Keelboat Online Course at BoaterExam.com. Once complete, upload your certificate to Sail Chicago’s Proof of Sailing Knowledge page.
With these three steps completed, our Skipper Records manager will update the membership directory to show your new skipper status!
In addition, Sail Chicago highly recommends taking the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Certification exam. The BKC exam and certification connects you with U.S. Sailing and includes a one-year membership. It is another measure of your basic keelboat knowledge and can replace the Basic Keelboat Online Course certificate from Boater Exam. It is a written test only and we encourage everyone to obtain the certification when they have a chance.
Mid Season and End-of-Season Checkouts
For those that don’t pass the On the Water Skipper Checkout with your instructor, you will have a second (and third) chance! This season Sail Chicago is introducing mid- and end-of-season checkouts. These are for students who have received a Plan of Improvement (POI) from their Skipper Prep class instructor. Only students who have received a POI should sign up for these checkouts. Take as many Tiller Times as you need, practice as much as you can, and sign up to check-out mid-season or end-of-season!
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Colgate Litter Collection Program
Have you noticed that our beautiful lake suddenly has less litter? Our Colgate pilot program using collapsable nets to pull litter from the lake is working! There is still plenty to be done but every sailor who removes a piece of trash is adding to the beauty of Lake Michigan. Please participate!
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Reminder: Self-Schedule Tiller Times and MCOs
Tiller Time (TT) and Member Cruise Outing (MCO) skippers now have the ability to schedule TT and MCO sails themselves! Create a reservation at my.sailchicago.org as you would for a private sail. Under Reservation Type choose the program sail that you plan to host — Cruise for MCO or TillerTime. Select yourself as the Skipper and the reservation will post and be available for signups.
Remember, you must schedule TTs or MCOs at least 48 hours in advance in order for the program options to appear.
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Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
The expression has existed since the 1600s and no, it doesn’t have to do with the guy in red with a tail, but to a seam around a ship’s hull near the water. When a sailor attempted to caulk this seam in heavy seas, he was in serious danger of failing overboard and drowning. Of course, if he didn’t caulk the seam, the ship could fill with water and sink. In other words, the sailor was faced with two awful choices: risk his life to repair the ship or risk the entire ship by not repairing it!
— Ed Schroeder
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Become a Sail Chicago Instructor!
Interested in becoming a Sail Chicago Instructor? Check out Sail Chicago’s Instructor Prep Class. Last season we placed seven Instructor Candidates through this rich and comprehensive coaching program. The objective is to guide motivated skippers to become capable, safe teachers with Sail Chicago. We cover advanced sailing topics and the basic principles of teaching adults how to sail. The ultimate objective of the course is to reduce our year-to-year backlog of students hoping to learn to sail with Sail Chicago.
Candidates should have a minimum of two years Sail Chicago skipper experience, skipper a minimum of six Tiller Times, and be a confident and competent sailor. If you are interested or have questions, email Monte Lewis at leadinstructor@sailchicago.org.
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Basic Keelboat Instructor Course
This year Sail Chicago is once again hosting the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor (BKI) evaluative course from September 8–10 at the Jackson Park Harbor Yacht Club. The BKI seeks to evaluate your skills as a sailor and teacher. If you pass the course, you are granted US Sailing’s BKI teaching certification. Sail Chicago will hold a series of on- and off-the-water events over the next two months to help sailors interested in preparing. A Zoom orientation for information will be held on July 5 from 7-8:30pm. Please email Tom Hertel at hertel@purdue.edu or Candace Kohli at kohlicl@gmail.com if you are interested.
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Teaching Aids on the Colgates
What’s that in the fuel compartment? It’s set of 6 double-sided laminated teaching aids that include a check list, points of sail, crew overboard, and NOAA charts for the Chicago area. 65% of students consider themselves visual learners, so next time you are out with your group, pull them out to enhance learning. We have also added a mini whiteboard and set of markers in the cooler to help our teachers further.
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A Sail Chicago Treasure is Moving On
Jay Owens gave so much of his time, energy, and expertise to help make Sail Chicago the thriving community sailing organization it is today. He took on many significant roles including book keeper, Treasurer, Board Member, and maintenance crew team member and has been the epitome of what every volunteer organization wants and needs — a hard working, selfless team player. He and his charming wife Penny are moving on from Chicago to Fort Collins, Colorado where their daughter resides. Jay has said that although there isn’t much sailing in Colorado, he is looking forward to enjoying the mountain scenery. Cheerz Jay! We wish you and Penny all of the best!
Below is an expert from an article by Norris Larson about Jay.
Jay Owens, our bookkeeper and past treasurer, joined Sail Chicago (then American Youth Hostels Sail Chicago) in 1987. Shortly thereafter he became a skipper on the Rhodes, the Alberg 30 cruiser (Emotional Rescue), two pocket cruisers, and the Shields, a sleek 30-foot racing boat. His wife Penny also learned to sail after Jay agreed to marry her in church if she went sailing, too.
Jay taught classes, raced, and became treasurer for Sail Chicago. When Sail Chicago initiated its plan to separate from AYH, Jay applied his financial acumen to negotiate the break including the transfer of boat ownership to an independent Sail Chicago. Jay continued as treasurer well into the 2000s and now confines his volunteering to bookkeeping and routine maintenance work keeping our boats in the water.
As a retired CPA, Jay’s work as treasurer, bookkeeper, and financial negotiator is an excellent example of how members bring their professional skills to volunteer work and benefit Sail Chicago! Thanks Jay!
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Welcome to Our New Bookkeeper!
Sail Chicago is happy to welcome Nicole Chen as Bookkeeper on the Sail Chicago Finance Team, replacing our long time Bookkeeper, Jay Owens. Nicole brings a great set of skills and knowledge to the role — she is a Certified Public Accountant and works professionally as an accounting manager. She has also worked as a financial auditor and controller, and is very familiar with financial statements and managing financial transactions. Please join me in welcoming Nicole.
Please review our Sail Chicago financial best practices:
Plan Ahead. To the extent possible, direct any and all Sail Chicago purchasing through our Purchasing Manager, Dana Smith. Dana is familiar with Sail Chicago vendors and suppliers, and is positioned to leverage our organization's purchasing power to get the best pricing and take advantage of available discounts. When you need to buy something on behalf of Sail Chicago, Dana is your main contact.
Make Sure It's in the Budget. When you identity the need for Sail Chicago to purchase something, please check with the appropriate Budget Owner. Each team lead whose role involves purchasing is a Budget Owner and prepares an annual budget to help us stay within our financial plan. When in doubt about who to ask, please contact Tim Rice at treasurer@sailchicago.org.
Get Reimbursed. When urgency requires out-of-pocket expenses for a Sail Chicago purchase, you can get reimbursed after the fact. Email bookkeeper@sailchicago.org with a copy of the receipt(s) and a full description of the item(s) along with what budget they should be paid from. Always make sure it's in the budget, and contact Dana first to see if he can get Sail Chicago to pay for it instead of you.
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