Mid Michigan Get Together

[FG]

How about the 11th or 25th of Sept. at the Bluegill Grill in Haslett? We could boat on Lake Lansing. Then end up at the Bluegill for a beer or 2.

[MJC]

Either day is fine with me.

I'll bring my cedar strip Wee Lassie.

Let me know if you'd be interested in being my guest for the day at the MSU Sailing Club - alas, all the boats there are of other than wood.

[ 08-30-2004, 02:39 PM: Message edited by: MJC ]

[PaulC]

Are those "football Saturdays" around Lansing?

And where exactly is Haslett?
Thanks,
Paul

[FG]

The 11th is the central michigan game, the 25th is an away game for the spartans.

Haslett is northeast of east lansing and surrounds lake lansing. about an hour from the east side of GR and 35 minutes from the airport in flint. The Bluegill is next to the Mayfair Bar for those with historical experience in the lansing area. It is about 1 1/2 miles south of I-69 just a block east of the Marsh Road/ Lake Lansing Road intersection. Oberon, and Bells Amber Bock on tap.

The football game would have no effect on traffic in the area and would probably reduce the boat numbers on the lake.

I'll bring my solo strip canoe as well.

[Dennis Marshall]

The 11th is out for me. The 25th is better. Are there ramp fees at the Lake? Dennis

[FG]

It's official - we have enough (3) to decide on the 25th.

How does 1:00 on the lake and 4:00 at Bluegill sound?

There are ramp fees during summer. May not be by the 25th though.

[Dennis Marshall]

Count me in.

Dennis

[FG]

Are 1 on the lake and 4 at the bluegill ok?

[Dennis Marshall]

Yep, the times are good for me, although I will probably come out earlier in the day to spend more time on the water. If you see a 16ft sail boat (white with cinnamon topsides) flying a spritsail, that will be me. I hear that Lake Lansing is pretty shallow, so I might not be moving but stuck in the mud or on a sandbar.

Dennis

[FG]

We could try to meet near the swim beach near the southwest corner of the lake at 1:00. For those launching canoes, there is a launch area in lake lansing park south on the north side of the fishing dock. It's a carry of a few hundred feet. The boat ramp is at lake lansing park north.

Look out for the sandbar straight north of the south point. It extends out about 300 feet straight north.

[Beowolf]

Sept 25, eh?

I'll try to make it out there. Hope to see you all real soon!

Jeff

[bob goeckel]

i'd come but the WCHA is having a canoe trip on the pidgeon river in Indiana that day. have fun!
by the way here's the newest morris:


[ 09-02-2004, 11:30 AM: Message edited by: bob goeckel ]

[PaulC]

I googled up this chart for Lake Lansing:

http://www.lansingsailing.org/Assets...DepthChart.jpg

[guillemot]

Sorry, I'm out of town on the 25th. The 11th would have worked. Maybe next spring we can gather for the launch of my dory. This house renovation project has eaten into my boat time. I'll look forward to seeing the photos!

Jeff

[John Blazy]

Just wanted to let you know that my wife and I considered your invite, but too much homework for her night school. We just got back from Leelanau county with seven and a half days of solid sun and boating with my glass-bottomed boat.

Torch Lake was awesome as usual. Might go to the wooden boat show there next July. A cool boat restoration specialist in a spectacular 1940 Century barrelback invited me. You think anyone would be up for that? Here's a shot of us on the Torch River.

Definitely considering next year after she graduates - Thanks FG and all.

[FG]

We'll miss you.

[MJC]

I've obtained permission from the director of the MSU sailing center for us to meet / eat / hang out / park / launch / messabout in boats, etc. at the sailing center this coming Saturday. He's indicated that we could use the center's facilities twice a year for gathering, messing about in boats, and eating.

The Sailing Center is two blocks from the Bluegill Grill and a block from the Lake Lansing Park.

Small trailerable boats can be launched by hitch dolly. Cartoppers can carry less than 100 feet to the water. Floating docks to tie up to.

There will be a sailing class in session until about 2 pm, so it will be somewhat busy with Club Junior comings and goings from noon to 2 pm. But, we'll fit you in.

Marilyn and I will bring lunch - brats, buns, kraut, etc. Let me know that you're coming for lunch (Noon to 1 pm) so I have enough. The sailing center has a grill and several picnic tables. Perhaps the folks coming for lunch could bring something? Bring your own drinks, but no alcohol, O.K.? We'll need to save that for later at the Bluegill.

Who's bringing a digital camera?

[Dennis Marshall]

Milo, you smoothie! You need to run for guv!

Dennis

[MJC]

The only thing I want to be governor of is the Mid-Michigan Wooden Boat Building and Restoration Society! It might be the only way I'll ever get another workshop!

[FG]

I'll be there for lunch. I'll bring some tomatoes. Thanks for setting us up with the sailing club. I'll be paddling in.

[WindHawk]

Gee, I hate to miss this, but the boat show is at Metro on Saturday, and since I'm looking for a clorex bottle for next summer I really should go, but plans change... Have fun.

[mdevour]

Greetings,

My wife and I are talking about this, MJC, after you extended the invite on my thread in the Building forum. Thanks.

Originally posted by MJC:
I've obtained permission from the director of the MSU sailing center ... Small trailerable boats can be launched by hitch dolly.

Ummm... Ours is a bit heavy to carry, and I've never used a hitch dolly. Can you explain the logistics of it? Who provides the dolly?

For that matter, our *trailer* is heavier than the boat. It's a bit tough to haul around by hand.

We might need to put in at the ramp at the North Park and sail over, and leave the Bluegill early enough to have light to take it down.

Originally posted by MJC:
Marilyn and I will bring lunch - brats, buns, kraut, etc. Let me know that you're coming for lunch (Noon to 1 pm) so I have enough.

We'll make a decision soon and let you know. We can bring something, too.

Be well,

Mike D.

[MJC]

Hi Mike D. Glad to hear you're thinking about coming. Don't worry about the logistics. Stop by the Sailing Center first. Then decide if you would be more comfortable launching at the North Park ramp.

The logistics are extremely fit college students who have been schlepping boats back and forth all summer. And folks like me .

[Beowolf]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to miss this one. Things have gotten quite jumbled at home and there are some things that can no longer be put off.

Rest assured, I'll be at the next one.

Jeff

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

For heavens sake let's have some pics of the event. It is the only hope of the rest of us vicariously living it out!

[mdevour]

Well, my bride has given the nod and we're coming to the get together.

MJC, would you PM me with a cell phone number, perhaps, in case we end up needing talk-in?

We can bring something like a pasta salad. I'll also bring a rather low quality digital camera.

Mike D.

[Dennis Marshall]

MJC, My friend Jim and I will be arriving at the Lake around noon. I won't be bringing my Dobler 16 (need a new mast ), but will be bringing his Bolger/Carnell Featherwind to sail/row around the lake.

See everyone tomorrow!

Dennis

[mdevour]

The Mid Michigan Get Together was a success.

It was mostly cloudy Saturday, the temperatures were comfortably cool, and the wind was mild to moderate on Lake Lansing.

Rose and I got there with Splinters toward the end of lunch, and the gang helped us unhook and set up while we started getting acquainted.

We met Milo (MJC) and his soon-to-be bride Marilyn, Fred (FG), as well as Dennis and his friend Jim.

After we finished lunch we all got out on the water.

Later on, Fred's wife Kathy arrived in her beautiful kayak, and Milo's daughter Beth also joined us.

Afterwards, all but Dennis and Jim reconvened at the Blue Gill Grill for good food, good beer, and plenty of boat talk, sharing of stories, and laughter, which lasted 'til nightfall.

Rose managed to get a few pictures of the action with our admittedly low-quality digital camera:

Fred (left) in his Pipistrelle and Milo in Wee Lassie, a pair of beautiful strip-built canoes.


Jim (l) and Dennis (r) in Jim's Bolger/Carnell Featherwind, with Milo (c) alongside.


There's me. Can you tell I'm having fun?


Gathering on the water.


At the Bluegill Grill, from left: Marilyn, Milo, Beth, Mike, Rose, Kathy, and Fred.


The MSU Sailing Center facilities are very nice, and the generous and helpful staff made us feel welcome and at home.

It was a good day. Rose and I had a great time. Thanks for the invitation, folks. I look forward to the next one come spring!

Mike D.

[ 09-26-2004, 10:13 PM: Message edited by: M. G. Devour ]

[Dennis Marshall]

Mike, thanks for the pics! You are too modest and not posting more pics of "Splinter" is a sin. Ladies and gents, that is one beautiful skiff and a credit to the work that Mike, Rose, and family put into it.

Fred's Canoe and his wife's Kayak were gorgeous as was Milo's "Wee Lassie." Thanks to Milo for setting things up. It was good to meet folks and hope to see you all again soon.

Dennis

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Mike:

Let's see some pics of Splinter ! That bit of boom in the pic is just enough to whet the appetite. MORE, MORE!! We will not think you as too prideful - show us your handiwork.

Glad you all had a terrific time. Glad I could "read all about it" here.

[mdevour]

Thank you Dennis. It was great meeting you folks. That Featherwind is very pretty on the water.

Captain Pre-Capsize wrote:
Let's see some pics of Splinters! That bit of boom in the pic is just enough to whet the appetite. MORE, MORE!! We will not think you as too prideful - show us your handiwork.

Well guys, I'll post good pictures of Splinters when I have some!

It looks like there'll be 2 or 3 good sailing days this week, so I hope to spend some time in close to shore where one of the kids can work the camera, on a tripod, and get some good shots and video clips. You know, ones where the horizon is level, it's not blurry, and things don't jerk around so much it makes you ill to watch. <sigh>

Which forum would be the best place to post such "boat porn?"

I also want to put up some detailed pics of the final rigging, since the forumites contributed so much to it and I think it turned out rather nice. That'll belong in Building & Repair, certainly.

Captain? I want to thank you, particularly, for your sage words on our project when I posted last year. Perspective was as valuable a thing then as answers to my many technical puzzles.

Mike D.

[MJC]

Mike is being entirely too modest and unassuming when he says "I think it turned out rather nice." Jeezlouise, you'd think he was english for cryin out loud.

Here's his website for Splinters. It's an example of the attention to detail flowing through this entire family project.

I had a great time at the mmmessabout. Thanks to all who showed up.

[ 09-27-2004, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: MJC ]

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

"Captain? I want to thank you, particularly, for your sage words on our project when I posted last year. Perspective was as valuable a thing then as answers to my many technical puzzles."

Mike D.

Well I can't imagine what I said to you... perhaps, "Don't kick the dog?"

Seriously though, this forum is about encouragement and that is a gift of mine from Above that comes to me in genuine fashion and for which I am grateful.

[ 09-27-2004, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: Captain Pre-Capsize ]

[FG]

It was very nice meeting all of you. I appreciate the distances that everyone came to get there - especially Mike and Rose. A success. We talked about twice a year for a messabout/boatshow. See you all in the spring if not sooner.

fred

[mdevour]

I'd like to resurrect this older thread to answer the Captain's question...

I wrote:
"Captain? I want to thank you, particularly, for your sage words on our project when I posted last year. Perspective was as valuable a thing then as answers to my many technical puzzles."

Captain Pre-Capsize replied:
Well I can't imagine what I said to you... perhaps, "Don't kick the dog?"

Well, it was in this thread that you made the following profound observations...

Captain wrote:
One thing true of human nature is that we always overbuild something that we are unfamiliar with. It dosn't matter if it is a house a sandbox or a boat. Left to your own devices you will construct it in a more than safe fashion and the girls will love it. If only they could appreciate all the mental sweat you are going to on their behalf...

Remember that their criterion is, "will it float?" Whereas your criterion is, "did I do it right and will it last for many years?" ...

Don't ever discount what a blessing it is that you are heading this up for the girls - they will never forget it. As one year goes into the next I become more convinced than ever that the place to put your time and energy is into experiences. This runs against human nature (and us guys are the worst!) since we would rather just buy something material and be done with it. "There, I bought it and now you girls go sailing." Somehow not memorable.

I can assure you that so long as they live they will remenisce, "Hey, do you remember the time we built the sailboat with your dad and then went sailing?"

See what I mean?

Thanks, mate!

Mike D.

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Ahhhh yes, I DO remember that post of mine. See when you begin slipping into middle age (presently 45 for me) these things can slip the mind.

Oh also the definition of "middle age" can be constantly adjusted upward, as I have discovered.

By the way, I'd sure like to join you guys next year if I can work it out...

[ 10-19-2004, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: Captain Pre-Capsize ]

[WindHawk]

So, on the day of the get together, I drive all of the way to Metro Beach for the sailboat show, and the weather sucks. I spend a lot of time talking to R.V. from the Great Lakes Sailboat Co., which happens to BE in East Lansing (well, maybe Bath), so I can talk to him whenever, and you folks warm up the lake, and THEN warm up the bar. I should hang with nearby "sailors", that way, I can get a ride home.

BTW: they want $44,900 for a new Com-Pac Horizon Cat (with the diesel, of course), and I believe my better half might be TOO WIDE for the bunks, which is OK by me, but there's just not enough room in the cockpit for her either... decisions, decisions... Why not the Blue Gill Grill!!!!