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Luff L etter August 2008 August 2008 August 2008 2008 CYC OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS: Commodore—Ralph “RG” Smithson; 1st Vice Commodore—Eric Nicholls; 2nd Vice Commodore—Tom Hogan; Rear Commodore—Kevin Johnson; Secretary—Bonnie McCormick; Treasurer– Greg Little; Assistant Treas- urer—Barbara Weaver, Member at Large, Education—Neil Quigley, and Member at Large, Social—Ann Zimmerman http://www.concordyachtclub.org/ [email protected] It's hard to believe the United States Navy needs a guy from Rocky Top to teach future naval officers how to sail. It is, however, true. I was invited to spend two, week-long sessions at the U.S. Naval Academy this June and July as an "intermittent sail- ing instructor" teaching Midshipmen 1st and 2nd Class (seniors and juniors to civilians like you and me). More pre- cisely, I helped teach the upperclassmen how to teach the Plebes (freshmen) how to sail. "Intermittent" means we come and teach whenever the Naval Academy needs us. My first trip was 8 days and the second 5 days. US Sailing keel boat in- structor certification is neces- sary to land a gig like this. The corps of intermittent in- structors included three Anna- polis locals, one of whom worked previously with the Academy sailing programs and is now with North Sails, the Director of Sailing at Piers Park Sailing Center in Boston and one of his part-time instructors, and one rookie from Rocky Top. As part of Plebe Summer, members of the incoming class are introduced to sailing on Navy 26s on the Severn River just outside the Santee Basin at the Academy in Annapolis, MD. Plebe Summer, which ran this year from July 2nd to August 15th, is the equivalent of boot camp and introduces the new hands to the Navy way of doing things. In past years Plebes have received instruction on Lasers, as well as Navy 26s. The Lasers, however, have been retired and the overall instruction trimmed from 28 hours down to 11, all now on the 26s. The Plebe sailing instructional program is admin- istered by upperclassmen as part of their acad- emy leadership training with 1st classmen holding the supervisory positions. The Commanding Offi- cer of Set 1 this year was actually a Tennessean, John Arnold, who hails from Memphis. The hands-on instruction is done by 2nd classmen. Plebes are taught basic knots, parts of the boat, how to rig the boat, dock- ing under sail, and, of course, the basic sailing skills of tacking, gybing, reefing, and man over- board recovery. The Academy follows the US Sailing basic keel boat curriculum in modified form. A Navy 26 is actually a Colgate 26, a 26-foot fixed keel boat that is well suited for teaching. The boat was created in 1996 by Steve Colgate, founder of the Colgate Off- shore Sailing School, in collaboration with famed designer Jim Taylor. The boat has a large main, small jib, and long cockpit that allow the instructor to observe from behind the helm without interfer- ing with crew work. The academy utilizes 30 Naval Academy Director of BST Joni Palmer & CYC Commodore R.G. Smithson

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Page 1: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

Luff Letter

August 2008August 2008August 2008

2008 CYC OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS: Commodore—Ralph “RG” Smithson; 1st Vice Commodore—Eric Nicholls; 2nd Vice Commodore—Tom Hogan; Rear Commodore—Kevin Johnson; Secretary—Bonnie McCormick; Treasurer– Greg Little; Assistant Treas-urer—Barbara Weaver, Member at Large, Education—Neil Quigley, and Member at Large, Social—Ann Zimmerman

http://www.concordyachtclub.org/

[email protected]

It's hard to believe the United States Navy needs a guy from Rocky Top to teach future naval officers how to sail. It is, however, true. I was invited to spend two, week-long sessions at the U.S. Naval Academy this June and July as an "intermittent sail-ing instructor" teaching Midshipmen 1st and 2nd Class (seniors and juniors to civilians like you and me). More pre-cisely, I helped teach the upperclassmen how to teach the Plebes (freshmen) how to sail. "Intermittent" means we come and teach whenever the Naval Academy needs us. My first trip was 8 days and the second 5 days. US Sailing keel boat in-structor certification is neces-sary to land a gig like this. The corps of intermittent in-structors included three Anna-pol is locals, one of whom worked previously with the Academy sailing programs and is now with North Sails, the Director of Sailing at Piers Park Sailing Center in Boston and one of his part-time instructors, and one rookie from Rocky Top. As part of Plebe Summer, members of the incoming class are introduced to sailing on Navy 26s on the Severn River just outside the Santee Basin at the Academy in Annapolis, MD. Plebe Summer, which ran this year from July 2nd to August 15th, is the equivalent of boot camp and introduces the new hands to the Navy way of doing things. In past years Plebes have received instruction on Lasers, as well

as Navy 26s. The Lasers, however, have been retired and the overall instruction trimmed from 28 hours down to 11, all now on the 26s. The Plebe sailing instructional program is admin-istered by upperclassmen as part of their acad-emy leadership training with 1st classmen holding the supervisory positions. The Commanding Offi-cer of Set 1 this year was actually a Tennessean,

John Arnold, who hails f r o m M e m p h i s . T h e hands-on instruction is done by 2nd classmen. Plebes are taught basic knots, parts of the boat, how to rig the boat, dock-ing under sail, and, of course, the basic sailing skills of tacking, gybing, reefing, and man over-board recovery . The Academy follows the US Sailing basic keel boat curriculum in modified form. A Navy 26 is actually a

Colgate 26, a 26-foot fixed keel boat that is well suited for teaching. The boat was created in 1996 by Steve Colgate, founder of the Colgate Off-shore Sailing School, in collaboration with famed designer Jim Taylor. The boat has a large main, small jib, and long cockpit that allow the instructor to observe from behind the helm without interfer-ing with crew work. The academy utilizes 30

Naval Academy Director of BST Joni Palmer & CYC Commodore R.G. Smithson

Page 2: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 2

26s with one instructor and three Plebes on each boat - one on the helm, another on the mainsheet, and the third trimming the jib. Each rotates through all three positions during the 11 hours of training. The Plebes, the majority, of whom, had never set foot on a sailboat prior to arriving in Annapolis, are taught in four separate short sessions. During my first session in Annapolis we sorted through 60 midshipmen evaluating sailing and teaching skills. Thirty were chosen for on-the-boat instruction. Others were as-signed to safety boats, dock help, and repair crews. Train-ing and evaluation was conducted from June 26 through July 2, and on July 3 the Mids held their first session with a group of Plebes. A normal instructional day included a morning and afternoon session as 1261 Plebes were run through the program, roughly 90 at a time, prior to the beginning of the academy year in August. A second training session for upperclassmen was held July 19 through 23 for another 60. This was a refresher course as most in this group had received their initial training last April. Set 2 relieved the first group of instruc-tors July 23 and was responsible for directing the last two of the four training sessions. My responsibilities the sec-ond time out were the same as the first. Set 2 included Cody Stiles of Jefferson County, Tenn., a Midshipman 2nd Class who first stepped on a sailboat during his first year at the Academy. He was chosen as an instructor this time around. The home of Navy sailing is the Robert C. Crown Sailing Center and the Santee Basin, located just off the Severn River on the eastern corner of "The Yard" (the campus). In addition to the 26s, the fleet includes 60-plus 420s used by the intercollegiate and intramural sailing teams, 20 Navy 44s specifically designed for the Naval Academy and used by the offshore competitive team and for upper-class offshore training, and several motorized inflatable inflatable safety boats. The Crown Center is also home to the High School and Collegiate Sailing Hall of Fame. The Academy also offers a recreational sailing program for Midshipmen, faculty and staff utilizing the entire fleet. During my second visit I participated in a "check-off sail" for one of the Midshipmen wishing to qualify for recrea-tional sailing on the 26s. The highlight of the skills test was sailing backwards, something the 2nd Classman had not done before, across the mouth of the Severn River. The 26s do not have motors, which necessitates leaving

and returning to the dock under sail. Seeing 30 boats leaving and then returning under sail alone is quite a sight. The boats are docked on both sides of two piers, nine across with alternating bows in and out. All boats leave bow out, so some boats have to be rotated 180 degrees prior to hoisting sails and getting underway. Boats on the windward side of the dock are launched using a slingshot method whereby two sailors use the bow lines to propel the boat out of the slip. The main is raised after the boat clears the slip and the helmsman then eases the mainsheet and turns the bow down. Jibs are hoisted after clearing the basin. The mooring ball technique is used for boats in the leeward slips. The Director of Basic Seamanship Training (BST) at the Academy is Joni Palmer, a fantastic sailor and ad-ministrator who may be familiar to some CYC veterans. Joni, a former US Sailing vice president with a lengthy resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved with dingy racing and adult and youth sailing instruction from the Atlantic to the Pacific and has numerous national dingy racing championships on her resume. My last day for session one, July 2, was I-Day (Induction Day) for the Plebes and resembled a football afternoon at UT. More than a thousand parents, grand-parents and siblings descended on The Yard, cameras in hand, to record the goings-on. Parking was a night-mare, and the Academy gift shop was packed. Plebes were sheared, issued uniforms, and talked to sternly by the upperclassmen prior to the swearing in ceremony in front of Bancroft Hall. It was a sight to behold. The Plebes were a bit more relaxed during my second trip and were actually quite proficient in their sailing skills. Not surprising, since it obviously takes some smarts to get into the Academy. Just as the Plebes, I learned a lot during my two visits and plan to return as many more times as they will have me. How about this: Annapolis is located in the crab capital of the world, yet the best place I found to chow down was an Irish pub called Galway Bay on Maryland Ave. just east of the capitol. I highly recommend the corned beef and cabbage.

Page 3: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 3

United States Power SquadronUnited States Power Squadron  

(Oak Ridge)(Oak Ridge)   Offers Public Seminar   

   

   

   

When:When:When:        Saturday, August 23  ‐  9:30 to 11:30am     (Registration begins at 9 am) 

Where:Where:Where:    Concord Yacht Club       11600 South Northshore Drive      Knoxville, Tennessee  37922 

Cost: Cost: Cost:     $25.00 per attendee ‐ for course materials         Seating is limited, please sign up in advance by contacting 

Jack O’Hearn  (865) 675‐6788 ext 101 / [email protected] 

or  

Sandra Ford‐Johnson (865) 531‐3707 / [email protected] 

 

This seminar shows in clear and simple terms how to use and ad‐just sails for optimum performance under a wide range of condi‐tions.  The seminar comes with a waterproof USPS Captain's Quick Guide written by North Sails and Student Notes.  

Page 4: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 4

It all started with a casual conversation on my family’s front porch in Montreat, N.C. The Berry family was there for dinner on a summer night two years ago. While we were waiting to be called to the dinner table I chatted with Susan Berry’s husband, Andrew Duncan about his Island Packet 320. Andrew told me about his plans to sail it up from St. Thomas to Beaufort, S.C. in April 2007. Before dinner was served I decided in my mind I was going to get a ride on that boat. Andrew hired Blaine Parks, a licensed captain out of Charleston, S.C., to help with the delivery. Af-ter I sent countless e-mails to Blaine and some persuasive talking, the captain finally approved my resume and signed me on as crew. I flew to St. Thomas on April 9, 2007 and arrived in Beau-fort fourteen days later. I was hooked.

On a cold winter night during “Dead Week” (the week before final exams) last December I received a call from Andrew. He talked of possibly doing a trans-Atlantic crossing since our conversation on the front porch, so when I picked up the phone I already knew what he was calling about. After more countless e-mails, this time to my parents; and much more persuasive talking, Tom and Penn cleared me for a trip across the pond.

Anticipation almost killed me over the next several months, but finally on May 7th I flew out of McGhee Tyson to St. Thomas. A few weeks before Andrew called in December, he hopped on his boat and sailed it down to the islands. As I walked down the docks in St. Thomas, I was greeted by Captain Blaine and a much more salty Andrew who had been living on his boat for the past five months.

Over the next two days we provisioned and worked on the boat. On Friday the 9th we cast off the lines, pointed the bow north and arrived in Bermuda nine days later. We waited for a storm to pass while in Bermuda and four days later we set out for the 1,800 mile voyage from Georgetown, Bermuda to Horta, Azores. On this sixteen day passage we learned to ration water since we only had ninety gallons plus twenty gallons of drinking water to split between three people. For the first five days out of Bermuda squalls filled our radar. During these squalls I saw “fire on the water”; a phenomenon that happens when

lightning strikes the water and a ball of gas erupts. Also, during these five days, we had the big-gest scare of the journey. Blaine just finished his shift and Andrew was up in the cockpit in full foulies singing Beatles songs at the top of his lungs. Andrew stood up to check radar and was im-mediately hit by a wave and sent overboard. Luckily he was clipped in; had he not been his re-covery would have been doubtful.

Page 5: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 5

Once we arrived in Horta on the island of Faial in the Azores we rafted up with some generous Swiss and were given our first round of drinks after sixteen days at sea. We spent three days in Horta then departed on the last leg of the trip. The begin-ning of the voyage was per-fect but we knew it would not last. Then, as we made our way north the weather turned. It was seventy miles south of Fastnet Rock that I saw the true wrath of the sea. Fifty knots of wind with 25-30 foot seas lasted for several days but we finally entered Bristol Channel and after a day in the semi sheltered water we made port at 0426 on the morning of Friday June 20th.

Andrew was born in a pub called “The Packet” back in the 1940’s. His parents ran it at the time and it was his home until his teenage years. At 1700 on the day of June 20th Andrew and his crew marched into The Packet. Andrew walked up to the bar and bet all the bartenders and patrons a round that he had been coming around this place longer than anyone else. Af-ter several free rounds Andrew and Susan (who had flown to Wales to meet us) went off to have a civilized meal, and Blaine and I went out for a less civilized night. By Sunday I was back in Knoxville and it felt good to be home.

I have to thank all CYC members for supporting such a great thing we have going on in the valley. If it were not for our humble little club I would not be sailing. I started sailing back in 2000 through the sail camp pro-gram CSC puts on. I graduated to high school sailing from there and now I find my niche in the Thistle and Auxiliary fleets. I have learned from many of you and hopefully will keep doing so. I am forever indebted to everyone for supporting my growth as a sailor.

Thanks, Erv

[email protected]

Page 6: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 6

Secretary’s Report Welcome new members... Marc & Christie Patti Michael & Danielle Schaffer Children - Chris & Emily Children - Braxton & Jon Sailing a MacGregor 26 Sailing a Prindle 18

CURRENT MEMBERSHIP 199 Active 7 Students 12 Honorary

Total Membership Count: 218 24 Inactive Members

Board Meeting Minutes are located on the library shelves in the clubhouse.

Bonnie McCormick [email protected]

EERICRIC NNICHOLLSICHOLLS -- FFIRSTIRST VVICEICE CCOMMODOREOMMODORE [email protected]

During the Independence Day Regatta I knew I should stay focused on sail trim, wind shifts and whether boats from the Cove or the marina leave the largest wake, but for a brief moment, while survey-ing my competition, I lost focus and thought it would be patriotic for the racers to be flying the Stars & Stripes. Doing some research after returning home, I discovered that they were right, the U.S. flag is not flown by a boat during a race (neither is the club burgee for that matter). It is not the first time I was wrong about flag etiquette. Knowledgeable club members had informed me that the U.S. flag is properly flown at the club from the gaff and not at the mast head.

Carrying through on my desire to properly fly the national ensign on my boat, I found the U.S. Power Squadron http://www.usps.org/f_stuff/etiquett.html information helpful in figuring out how to do it. Since my boat has no gaff, the other options were to install a staff at the stern, attach it to the leech of the main sail, or to fly it from the back-stay about two thirds of the distance up its length. Great, now I need a back-stay halyard (it is never flown from the halyard that goes to the spreader)! Maybe I should reconsider the stern staff, because at anchor that is the proper location.

And size does matter. The national ensign should be 1” on the fly for each foot of the boat’s LOA. To avoid a custom made flag, it is proper to round up to the next largest commercially available size. Ironi-cally, most commercial flags are the wrong proportion. The national ensign should be 10:19 (about 1:2) not the 3:5 usually found.

Once my stern staff is installed, I will be flying my 16” X 30”national ensign every day I am aboard from 0800 to sunset.

Page 7: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 7

Tom Hogan Tom Hogan -- Second Vice CommodoreSecond Vice Commodore [email protected]

Recently issues have arisen regarding Race Committee Duty. I want to remind the Race Com-mittee Chairmen that you should go through the motions of setting up a course and explain all the aspects of putting on a race to every member in your group. If the weather is a wash out and there are no racers, you still need to spend time going over items in Jack’s Shack and explain how to set a race course and the procedures involved.

If the weather is not dangerous please set the course up ready to race. If the weather improves you can promptly start. If the weather takes a turn for the worse - postpone. If the conditions do not improve you can then fly the abandonment flag; pick-up and put everything away. The final decision to race or not race is the responsibility of the Race Committee Chairman. Before abandoning a race please take the time to explain and educate your fellow race com-mittee participants. Lastly, if it’s safe let the racers - race.

Agenda Fair and equitable handicapping of diverse types of boats within our fleet Portsmouth Yardstick PHRF Status of Soling’s (and other class boats) within either system Use of spinnakers How to increase participation in racing Improving the competitiveness of participants The history of CYC's Auxiliary fleet. Note: no one has stepped forward yet to lead this and I have received no

documents. Safety issues and insurance Other requirements for membership Other issues Voting by the dues-paid members of the fleet

If you are a current (dues paid in full) member of the Auxiliary Fleet and you cannot attend the meeting, you may assign your proxy to another fleet member. If you would like to be a member of the Auxiliary Fleet you may sign-up at the August 3rd meeting. Pay your pro-rated fee of $5.00 to RG Smithson.

[email protected]

Page 8: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 8

Sea Scout Ship Freedom 300 enjoyed an overnight cruise recently, as a group of ten sailed a flotilla of three boats to an anchorage in Isch Creek benefiting from good weather, breeze that kept the bugs blown away, and great food. Sea Scouts are grateful for participating CYC members Paul Campbell (Heelbilly), Dwight Guinn (C-25), and George Hubbell (SJ-26). On overnight cruises and other activities of the ship, inter-ested parents are encouraged to participate. They share an experience with their children, while often finding the experi-ences are FUN that develop new perspectives. For examples: one dad, Randy Nelson, has never spent time on a sailboat and thought the trip was “a blast.” The Nelsons travel to ship meetings from Sweetwater, TN. Another dad, David Melroy, enjoyed sailing the trip and sparked interest in joining CYC. David has an S-2 sitting at home near a barn. David has performed some needed welding on a sea scout boat trailer and has done extensive prep work toward re-sealing bunks with fiberglass in Tarbaby, a Clark Boat Company produced Thistle. Tarbaby was the first boat acquired for Ship 300 back in March, 2002. ( Clark Thistles were known to be “fast boats” when introduced in the 1960’s during a period of time when there were several Thistle manufacturers more than there are today.) A third parent on the trip, Mrs. Tracey Wood, one of the registered leaders in the ship, also enjoyed a shared experience with her daughter, Linden. On overnight cruises youth sail the boats, plan menus, prepare and cook all meals, and clean the boats to the Bristol condition they were in when they came aboard. In between, they do what youth do universally: con-versations into the wee hours, swim, row dinghies, hang out, and one did some reading. There seem to be

often one or two who squeeze in some study time. One wonders where youthful energy comes from; is it quite possibly a solution to an energy crisis? Sea Scout Ship Freedom 300 is seeking additional volunteer adult leaders among the membership of CYC. Those interested can contact George Hubbell at [email protected] or phone 980-0879. Someone once said, “There is nothing quite like messing about in boats.” He was right. An added thought is that sailing is a grand metaphor for life. When coupled with the sea scout program, begun in 1912: Magic. Join the youth, contributing to their development and life-long friendships. It’s a chance to share what you know, maybe learn more. L to R: Jonah Nelson, Jenny Melroy, Linden Wood,

Liz Spenser, & Tracey Wood

[email protected] or 980-0879

Page 9: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 9

Ship 300, an outreach program of CYC, is a co-educational program for boys and girls, ages 14 to 21. Being part of the Boy Scouts of America, 300 members can attend any scout facility in the na-tion and visit many ships in the U.S. and around the world. These include a large Sea Base in Isla-morada Florida where scuba certification and af-fordable tall ship cruises are taken among the Florida Keys and around the Bahamas. There are also sea scout training yachts operating on the Chesapeake, San Francisco Bay, San Diego, the San Juan Islands (North of Puget Sound), backpacking at Philmont, and canoeing in the Boundary Waters in Ely, Minnesota, plus many more. Every two years there is an International Sea Scout regatta that is held each time in a different location. This year it was held in Annapolis, Maryland; previous regattas were held in Chicago (Columbia Yacht Club), Cape Cod (Merchant Marine Academy), and Biscayne Bay (Coral Reef Yacht Club). Cost to participate this year for a week of racing was $150 per sea scout which covers boats, transportation at the regatta, three meals per day, room, and a day-trip tour in Washington, D.C. Travel to the event was up to the participant. As a leader you, too, are encouraged to attend these regattas. So, what are you waiting for? Join us. It’s easy. We meet two times per month for two or three hours to mess around with boats. We ask adults to participate 70% of the time so there is continuity for the youth. Contact George Hubbell at [email protected] or phone 980-0879. Do it.

L to R: Jenny Melroy, Jonah Nelson, & Linden Wood

Steve LitherlandSteve LitherlandSteve Litherland [email protected] or 483-5917

The CYC Library, located in the lobby of the clubhouse, is open every Sunday from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Items may be checked out for two weeks. To return library items when the library is not open, place the items in the book return box on the cornert-able in the lobby or on the table near the phone.

This month’s Practical Sailor features comparisons of inflatable dinghies, women’s foul weather gear, inflatable fenders, and results of long-term tests of mooring chain. Copies of the current and past Practical Sailor magazines are available in a 3-ring binder to the left of the fireplace. It is on the open shelving and is available to read 24/7.

Library work slots are still available for the high water season, but they are going fast. August 3, September 21, and October 5 are available. If interested in volunteering for li-brary duty, contact Steve Litherland.

August 2008 Schedule: July 27th Barbara Lamb August 17th David Valone August 3rd AVAILABLE August 31st Ellen Macek August 10th David Valone

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August 2008 No. 442 10

Members Bring: Appetizer or Dessert

Calling Committee will contact each member. IF you are not contacted by Sunday, August 24th & you want to attend:

email [email protected] or phone 531-3707 to make your reservations.

There will only be a few more chances to get your ‘08 work hours in this Fall. I will host one more (rare) Fall work party. There are some big projects to be done at the Club. Some of these need to hap-pen as soon as the water goes down for the Winter. I’m looking for some muscle with good ideas to work on the Summer Slips. There’s work to be done on all the other docks as well. As always, if you see something that needs attention at the Club, let me know and I will approve you for the work hours! Keep watch, schedule coming.

Kevin Johnson, Rear Commodore [email protected]

Page 11: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

August 2008 No. 442 11

I built a low-power 12 volt computer so I thought I'd share how I did it for anyone interested. It's a fully loaded desktop replace-ment in a mini case and runs off 12 volts. Suggested parts from current sales - but availability and prices change daily so you may have to find comparable items. Here's the best deals from TigerDirect right now. Board- 256 mb video built in, usb, lan, sound, etc: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3581158&CatId=2320 2 Gig Memory: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2206874&sku=C13-2022&CMP=ILC-FPM09 AMD chip, dual core, faster: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2207247 Case. Smaller ones are available; I used this one because I wanted at least two full size PCI slots for a TV card and WI-FI card. This one fits on the shelf next to the electronics panel. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2074672&Sku=ULT33116 Serial ATA laptop drive, 250 gig. You'll need a mounting kit. A laptop drive is recommended for a boat as a desktop drive won't take the G-forces for long and they use less power. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3233378&CatId=1277 Serial DVD burner, with LightScribe, might be handy on a boat- etch the label on the disk itself vs using a marker. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3303829&CatId=1624 And the secret ingredient, a 12 volt power supply. This is one of the cheaper ways to go with a full 200 watts output. You'll also need the 24-20 pin cable adapter & the P4-ATX cable listed at the bottom: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3189533&CatId=1624 I ended up with this one. http://www.mini-box.com/PW-200M-DC-DC-power-supply?sc=8&category=13 Just because I was trying both out and this one ended up in the computer. It has a wider input voltage range, which might be use-ful. This was a plug and play build, except for mounting the power supply. I used a homemade mount, locating the power supply directly in front of the rear case fan. http://www.mini-box.com/M4-ATX?sc=8&category=13 To complete the system you'll need to buy a copy of Windows http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JTFVME/ref=pd_cp_sw_1?pf_rd_p=309530501&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00022PTRU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AGJWX8E225416KS1Q6Q Using this version you then have to get online and spend some time updating, but this is the cheapest way to go, unless you've got a copy or you're a Linux fan. Rumor has it that Windows XP will disappear off the shelves this summer so if you want a copy, better grab it. Then you'll need to install whatever software you desire. Total cost $379, plus software, monitor, keyboard and mouse. You can get a wireless keyboard and mouse at Newegg for $20. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823701005 With these components, I put them in the case, read the directions, read them again, plugged everything in and fired it up. I tested everything using the built-in power supply, and installed the 12 volt one just to simplify things. I'm not a computer expert, this is just the combination I came up with. A computer in a smaller size case could be built for about the same cost if you don't need full size PCI card slots, although finding room for the power supply might get tight. My desktop uses 160 watts, the laptop 60, while burning a DVD and playing music. This one burns 17 watts, not counting the monitor, which is less than two amps on 12 volts. Major improvement! I'm still looking for a reasonably priced 12 volt 19 inch monitor. Right now I'm running a small inverter to power it, so there's still room for improvement.

Butch Evans - [email protected]

Page 12: Luff Letter Editor - Concord Yacht Club€¦ · resume as a dingy racer and sailing instructor, taught a US Sailing small boat class at CYC back in the early 1990s. She has been involved

2008 CYC CONTACTS2008 CYC CONTACTS2008 CYC CONTACTS

Luff Letter Sandra Ford-Johnson 531-3707 or 599-0751 [email protected] Clubhouse Reservations Elaine Proctor [email protected] 671-8408 Harbor Master Sandra Ford-Johnson 531-3707 or 599-0751 [email protected] Lift /Marine Railway Scheduling Phil Spurlin 988-3857

Phone Committee Sandra Ford-Johnson 531-3707 or 599-0751 [email protected]

11600 Northshore Drive Knoxville, TN 37934

Presort Standard U S Postage

Paid Permit #826 Knoxville TN

8'2" Sailing Dinghy/Yacht Tender ("Dixi Dinghy" design: http://www.dixdesign.com/dinghies.htm)

• Rows and sails well • Carries 4 adults. • Construction: fiberglass over marine plywood hull, with var-

nished and painted surfaces inside. • Little used, excellent condition, completely ready to sail.

$425 or near offer. Contact: Neil Quigley (for photos or to see the boat) (865) 691-5689 or [email protected]

1995 Windsurfer – F2 Comet • 11’ Fun-Board • Fully equipped, in excellent shape. • Includes 3 sails, 3 booms, plus a seat harness and life

jacket. $100.00 Contact: Donald Hogue (423) 365-4093 or [email protected] 1106 Lakewood Village Road - Spring City