Chicago- Mackinaw Race Crew Ready to Go

05/22/11 Well we are about 45 days away from the big race. I got an email from Dave Block, the boat captain that is going to move Nyanza to Chicago...he was in the Panama Canal...Had the boat measured for the ORR handicaping they are using for the Mac Races, Bermuda Race and the Transpac....what a rip.....pretty much the same as IOR with a few refinements....had to bring a measurer in from Detroit...he was here for three hours not counting the drive time..$1450, this does not include the fee from US Sailing to issue the rating...probably another 300+.

So far there are over 380 boats registered for the race. NYANZA has lined up a world class crew....Capt Jim, James T and David D McBrier, the Captains great sailing partner from Buffalo Jimmy Whistler, Will Dunn from Cleveland, John Zurn from Philadelphia..our past nuculear sub man and Andrew Bales of NY,NY....Mr bermuda Race
Still waiting to hear if Tim (Cookie) Mehl is on boad...That would make 8.

Mike Preston is lineing up for the support with a trip to Mac to help out.

Boats looking great...Dan the Man is hard at work getting the Varnish up to spec...only problem it has been raining every day for two weeks. All systems seam to be working well....had a Coast Guard Safety Inspection Saturday...good to go.

Interesting Coast Guard Rule....if you are not wearing your PFD when boarded it does not count as a life jacket. Nyanza carries 7 with auto inflate, light and whistle...but I also have 8 life Jackets...who made this dab rule?

Grounding in shallow ports should not be a problem this year...Memorial Day opening at EYC...water temp 52...1/3 of the boats still not in the water. We always do the Mork Trophy Race...14 miles out the bay, around the Penninsula and back to R2. We do very well in this race normally...lots of warmup Chute work getting ready for the Lake Erie Interclub Cruise that starts on June 25.

Took a run around the bay today on our new (used) 19' 1999 Outlaw Boston Whaler from Rett Walker with a 150 engine. Great fun.
More to come...Capt Jim