Ahoy! 2024 is getting off to a great start at GMSC. Keelboat racing is going on as well as other social, training, and community events. Please visit our new, beautiful GMSC website to see upcoming events and mark your calendar and join in on the fun!  

Good news - the lake levels are up! Central Arkansas Water (CAW) has confirmed that the drawdown of Lake Maumelle has ended for the season.  Due to recent rains and projected forecasts, they don't believe they can achieve the needed drop in water levels combined with freezing temperatures to be effective for additional hydrilla remediation (via freezing) for the 2023-2024 drawdown season. They expect to continue herbicide treatment later this Spring, which will result in short-term lake closures like those in 2023. We will stay in close contact with CAW and report those closures to our members.  CAW does expect to have another lake drawdown during the winter of 2024-2025, expected to begin in mid-October. 

16^th Annual Lake Sweep this Saturday, Feb 24 from 9:00 -1:00 pm

CAW is planning a lake clean-up day on February 24 to help keep our beautiful lake clean for all to enjoy. Volunteers are needed to pick up trash and other “Spring Cleaning”. The cleanup will end with a volunteer lunch and door prizes at the marina shortly after noon.

 

I encourage you all to come out and join.  The weather is predicted to be beautiful and what better way to show how important our CAW partnership is than to support them on this important initiative.   

This is a big task, and we need as many volunteers as possible to make it a success. It will be a great opportunity to get involved, socialize with other members, and make a positive impact on our lake and club. The more people we have, the more we can accomplish!  Be sure to bring work gloves, wear boots or shoes that can get wet and show up in your GMSC shirts / hats!!

 

New Safety Boat is Here!

Commissioning Celebration this Sunday, Feb 25 at 4:30

 

A primary objective of GMSC is having a vibrant, year-round racing program and having two well-functioning safety boats to support safe and efficient races is essential.

 

One of our big projects this year has been to purchase a new safety boat for the race committee. I am pleased to report that we have taken delivery of the boat and it is ready for launching!

 

Consistent with our safety boats’ role to watch over races to ensure safety and sportsmanship on the racecourse, look-out for those who need assistance and set the course for races, we have selected the names of “Scout” and “Ranger” for our new and original Weld-Craft safety boats, respectively.

 

This Sunday, Feb 25, we plan to raise a glass and welcome this newest vessel into our fleet with a Commissioning Celebration!  I hope you can join us to celebrate, have a glass of champagne and then proceed to the Clubhouse for a chili cook-off.  

 

A big thank you to Jeremy Shapley and Max Mehlburger for their help in selecting, procuring and outfitting Scout! 

 

Chili Cook-Off this Sunday Following Commissioning Celebration

 

Dust off your best chili recipe and come on out and compete for the GOLDEN LADLE! Last year, we had a strong showing from the Guise - McLemore household with them taking first and second place!  I am already hearing of some STRONG competition - perhaps even two recipes coming from the same household.  It is sure to be as competitive in the clubhouse as it is on the race course!  Let's see takes home the golde ladle this year!   

 

If you are not quite up for making a batch of chili, bring a dessert! 

Board Positions Available

 

I want to thank those serving on the board in 2024 - your dedication to our club is very appreciated!

 

We still have a few vacant positions including Communications, GYA (Gulf Yachting Association) Coordinator and Docks Chair.  If you are interested in any of these positions or assisting with any of the other areas, please reach out to me. 

I hope to see you at the lake soon!

 

By David Nigus

 

Rarely do I see boats properly tied in their slips. This not only causes boat damage but also damage to your slips. Usually I find the bow lines tied tightly to a chain or cleat 90 degrees from the boat cleat with very little slack. This is the wrong way!

When waves hit a boat it must be able to rise up as much as possible. If tied tightly to the finger, as the boat goes up it the dock lines pull hard on the fingers. This not only damages the finger it also holds the finger up as the wave cycle passes and the flotation comes out.

Bow lines should be positioned either in front of the bow cleats or behind. Remember the bow lines are intended to keep the boat centered while allowing the bow to rise and fall in the waves. Use spring lines at least on the siding facing windward. Outboard motors should be removed whenever they are on the leeward side by the slip head. But if this is not possible, spring lines can help here too.

I also see people using old sheets for dock lines. Proper dock lines should be used that allow some stretch without shock loading. Snubber lines can be bought or made as shown below.

                  

Loose lips can sink ships, but tight dock lines can break slips!

We have a new method to volunteer. Please see details on volunteering at this link Volunteering details

 

Please use and spread the word to non-club members that might like to help!   We always need volunteers to assist the race committee and free up skippers to race.

Please sign-up for specific dates using this link Volunteering and join the fun and support our racing program.
For more information on the race committee, please see the Race Committee page of our website.

You can also now quickly get to the link by clicking "Vounteering" on the "Volunteer" tab on the home page of our website. 

February 25 - Chili Cook-off and New Safety Boat Launch

February 25 - AED, First Aid and CPR Class -  12-4

 

March 3 - Keelboat Race

March 17 - Keelboat Race

 

April 7 - Keelboat Race

April 8 - Eclipse Watch Party

April 20-21 - Spring Regatta