AMIDSHIPS:
Scuttlebutt & Race Yarns

 We tease, embellish and exaggerate, so don't take anything you read here too seriously. Click-able list of prior posts at bottom of port column.

HIKING STRAP FAILURE: August 23 Race Report

Early in the day when setting up the racecourse Matt and Dianne were concerned the race might have to be cancelled since there was no wind.  The calm made it difficult to anticipate wind direction for a proper course so they set it up according to the weather forecast.  A very decent wind showed up in time for the race and the course had been set up perfectly.  Thanks Matt and Dianne. The starting and finishing legs of the race were directly into the wind as we prefer.  This makes the tacking strategy for getting to the first mark, and to the finish line a key to determining the race outcome.

Judging from their written comments, the Committee Boat volunteers had such a bout of contagious laughter about a starting horn faux pas from a prior year that they almost forgot to start the race.  But they recovered their composure just in time and did a fine job.  Thanks to Cindy Bartlett, Margaret Powers, Jim and Mimi Riffle and Arlene Truex.  And thanks to Beth Auld, Kevin Preuss and Arlene Truex for organizing the race and post-race gathering.

Hiking straps had an impact on the race:  

When sailors lean back over the side of the boat to keep the wind from flipping the boat over in a strong wind (“hiking out”) , sailors are able to keep from falling overboard by hooking their toes under “hiking straps” fastened to the inside of the hull.  Well Tom and Dave Cartwright were hiked out to an extreme in the mighty Thistle when the hiking strap suddenly broke. This sent them into the water and capsized the boat.  Tom had to swim after the boat which the wind kept pushing.  They were eventually able to get the boat righted, but had to abandon the second race.    

As usual we had a fine time at the post race gathering as well.

Race Results:

Our last race is September 13.

NEXT GENERATION OF RACERS HAS ARRIVED: August 9 Race

Something exciting is happening at our lake's races this year. At our most recent race, four youths participated in the action—three actually sailing and one getting an up-close view from the officiating boat (details below). A new generation is discovering that sailboat racing is a place to compete, learn, have fun and be part of the sailing community.   Come join us!

Click here for a list of the great personal benefits of racing sailboats at Grandview Lake

If you are a Grandview lot owner and are interested in participation, please leave a voice mail for Tom Schroeder at 317-873-1637.

Molly and Lily sailing together as captain and crew, have been steadily moving up in the race results this season, already beating some of our more experienced sailors along the way.  And from the GYC paparazzi boat they were cheered on and offered encouragement—or perhaps a little coaching.

Maggie crewed for her dad and became the youngest crew member ever to sail in one of our club races. 

Levi, our youngest Committee Boat volunteer watched the boats jockey for position at the start and finish, and listened as the other volunteers discussed the strategies the captains appeared to be using. 

And racing is only part of their experience. Our sailors gather after races each week to share food, stories and plenty of good-natured banter about what happened on the course. All four of these youngsters have been part of those gatherings after various races this season. They're not just watching from the shore—they're becoming part of the sailing community.

That may be the most encouraging sight of all. A sailing tradition that began here 65 years ago is being carried forward by a new generation (the fourth), with some of the youngest members of our lake family discovering what generations of sailors before them have already learned: there's something pretty special about being on the water when the race is on.

Oh yes and about the race:  

John and Levi set up an excellent race course.  Levi, Beth Auld, Cindy Bartlett and Rachel Gall officiated the race.  Also on board were a couple Cindy has gotten to know from her work as a hospice nurse.  They were interested in seeing a sailing race, so were able to join in the fun from the best vantage point on the lake. Thanks to Beth Auld, Kevin Preuss and Arlene Truex for organizing the race and gathering. 

We had good winds for the pre-race warm-up, which then dropped to acceptable and sometimes a bit calm for the first race, and then pretty good winds for the second race. Being first to the mark involved some difficulty for three of the four segments especially with wind shifts.

Race Results:

July 26 Race Report

Winds were pretty good especially vs. the forecast, although the wind shift just prior to the race made for an unusual start vs. the wind direction.  But sailors adapted well and we had quite a good couple of races.  Welcome to new sailor Ashley, another 4th generation (in GYC years) sailor, crewing for Molly. The 4th generation sailors are working toward lowering the average age of GYC sailors. 

Thanks to our Committee Boat Volunteers Beth Auld, Cindy Bartlett, Margaret Powers, and Jim and Mimi Riffle.  Also to Tom and Sarah Cartwright for setting up the race and Beth Auld and Kevin Preuss for organizing the race.  We had a fun post race gathering at Arlene Truex's.  Thanks Arlene. 

Race Results:

July 12 Race and Riffle-Fest

 We had good wind for our second race of the season, and a good turnout, followed by a post-race celebration of a milestone birthday for Jim Riffle. 

We had a great crew of volunteers including birthday boy Jim Riffle, Cindy Bartlett, Margaret Powers and Mimi’s visiting daughter Amy who enjoyed the experience. Jim Voelz and Laura Garrett set up a good course that presented healthy challenges on the way to the first mark and the finish line – into the wind (windward), our preferred racecourse layout. Thanks to them and Beth Auld, Kevin Preuss and Arlene Truex for handling all the race organization and post-race gathering preparations.

The race was followed by a celebration of Jim Riffle’s birthday with all four generations of Grandview Yacht Club members well represented at both the celebration and the race. 

Jim blows out the candles. Instead of a cake, Jim's favorite confection, jelly donuts,  were enjoyed by all. 

Mimi, Jim and Mimi's daughter Amy.  Oops, Jim is blocking out his age on the banner.

Jim is wearing his #54 Warren Ohio Panthers football jersey.  Jim was a standout, honored, award-winning athlete in high school and in college at Dartmouth.  

Race Results:  

2026 Sock Burning & Lake Poetry

 Adhering to a fun custom among sailing organizations across the USA, the Yacht Club held its annual "Sock Burning" to celebrate the end of sock-wearing season and beginning of sailing season.  

The group assembled, enjoyed the pitch-in snacks and an extended period of trading yarns about the race, the winter, lake chatter, etc.  Then we formed a circle and began the ritual by tossing filthy winter socks into the flameless "fire" and took turns reading fun lake related poetry that some had either composed or thought appropriate. 

Below are the items read by the participants: 

THE POEMS:

The sailors wondered,

Will the season ever start?

Ahoy, it’s today!

-L.D. (Haiku)

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Sailing on Grandview:

 Warmed by the sun,

Carried by the wind,

Cradled by the lake,

Is the ultimate

“Happy Place”

-A.T.

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 There are good ships and wood ships and ships that sail the sea.

But the best ships are friendships and may they always be!

 -    T.C. & S. C.

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A Grandview sailor from our lake

Planned a season to sail in “no wake”.

Staying out in front is no easy stunt

But he’ll get the trophy to take.

-M.R.

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“Leisure” by W. H. Davies (1871-1940): 

WHAT is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?—

 

No time to stand beneath the boughs,

And stare as long as sheep and cows:

 

No time to see, when woods we pass,

Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

 

No time to see, in broad daylight,

Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

 

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,

And watch her feet, how they can dance:

 

No time to wait till her mouth can

Enrich that smile her eyes began?

 

A poor life this if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare.

-As read by LG

********************

Another year sailing at GYC

And as a hobby it’s not free!

 

Although delayed, we started.

The racing was good hearted!

 

And as usual, we followed Jim V!

-M.B.

********************

 

Sailing is a fickle sport

As you can plainly see.

There’s too much wind, or not enough,

A chance of rain, oh GEE!

 

There’s all the special words to learn,

Bow, stern and port.

It’s easy for a newbee to stumble

And fall short.

 

But when your sails are tight and full

And you’re flying toward the dam

The water’s sparkling,  you’re in the lead,

You’ve won a grand slam!

-J.H.

 

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Race Day at Grandview:

 The powerful wind pulls hard on your line,

Sensation of speed greatly multiplied.

First to finish is our hard fought mission,

So we trim the sails to the perfect position.

 

The heart beats fast, the mind stays busy,

Sailors caught up in a competitive tizzy.

Each gust a joy unless we capsize.

We hope to win that elusive prize.

To those who finish with a winning outcome:

Beware of  succumbing to high five syndrome!

 

When the race is over our sails we stow.    

With snacks and drinks to Arlene’s patio we go.

Exhausted and spent, sailors sink into a chair.

Then race yarns and alleged infractions we share.

-T.S.

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Also, for those interested in the origins of this quirky tradition, Arlene found the most likely source:

Started in 1977 after a bad winter in Maryland.  It was March 21^st, the traditional start of the sailing season in that area.  Weather was not good for sailing, so sailors were gathered on the beach with a fire in the fire pit.  One disgruntled disappointed sailor threw his winter socks into the fire. 

June 28, 2026 Race Report

 After cancelling the first two scheduled races of the season, sailors were eager to get wind in their sails, feel the pull of the mainsheet,  and the adrenalin rush of competition. Seven boats raced and sailors were grateful for an adequate wind with no real windless periods.

 The Committee Boat was packed with experienced volunteers and Riffle relatives who enjoyed a sailboat racing experience with front row seats. Thanks to Jim Riffle, Margaret Powers, and Cindy Bartlett for conducting the races flawlessly.  John Auld, with assistance from Tom Schroeder, set up a race appropriate to the day’s winds.  Harbormaster Arlene Truex kept the set-up and officiating boats well-supplied and efficient in their comings and goings and hosting our post-race gathering.  Beth Auld and Kevin Preuss made sure we had the Committee Boat staffed and that all involved were well informed prior to a during race day.   

The race was followed by a well-attended post-race gathering featuring our annual  “Sock Burning” ritual to welcome summer, complete with fun poetry by participants.  See the separate post on the Sock Burning complete with the creative poetry etc. (see separate adjacent post). 

Race Results: