News

We are sorry to announce, that due to COVID-19, The Army Corps of Engineers have notified us that no permits will be granted for on-the-water events for the remainder of 2020.

This means that we will not be allowed to have any events or gatherings on Saylorville Lake in 2020.

That includes but is not limited to:

• Races
• Classes
• Social Gatherings

It is our understanding that the P15 deployment and rental program will still be available but we encourage you check back on the website to see updates on the situation. Updates related to events will be posted below.

We appreciate your continued support for the club and hope to get together with you soon! We will continue to work on building and improving the club and school into a valuable community for our members to be a part of.

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Update - 5/19/2020 by Dylan Verhoef

As an update to the above announcement, we have decided to further cancel 2020's remaining events until further notice. This includes all on and off the water events. We feel there is too much volatility with the current situation to host an in-person event safely. We hope to still be able to host events in 2020 but until the situation progresses, we feel this is the best course of action.

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Update - 7/1/2020 by Dylan Verhoef

We have been permitted to hold the Wednesday night race series as long as we follow proper social distancing rules and regulations and that no formal gathering occurs. That means that we will no longer have a skippers meeting on the docs but will do so remotely via radio once boats are on the lake prior to the start of the race. The first race will be held tonight, check the race page on the site to view updated instructions and regulations as well as getting registered for the race. We are still unable to hold on-the-water events at this time but are hopeful that will soon change as well as we show proper social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Thank you and stay safe,

Dylan Verhoef

Communications

communications@saylorvilleyachtclub.org

Greetings to SYC Sailors and Friends:

Sailing activities are starting soon at SYC.   I know, it takes a lot of work to get the boat ready for it’s first splash of the summer,  yet it will all be worth it all when the boat’s in the water, you are relaxed, listening to the wind in the sails and the splash on the hulls.   It’s the greatest moment of all!

The plans for the Clubhouse are still ongoing but will be well worth the wait to get into our own place.  Meanwhile, the finishing details of our summer’s schedule are almost complete so we can enjoy our great summer ahead.  Wednesday night Racing begins on May 15 so get your team ready for that first sail. Sailing School classes are filling up fast for those who are interested in learning some new skills.  Check the website for event details and a link to our Sailing classes. Most of all, block out some time for yourselves to sail and let’s have some fun this summer.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 18 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for the Annual Open House at Saylorville Lake Marina.  Plan to spend the day with us. There will be vendors and lunch provided by the Marina. SYC and SYCSS will each have a booth so stop by and say Hi.  Bring your friends and introduce them to us. SYC will be providing yummy Root Beer Floats; you won’t want to miss them. There will be powerboat rides on the new Syntex Marina boats and sailboat rides on both small and larger boats.  This is a good way to introduce your friends to what is available at our Club, School and Marina. Let them see why we love hanging out with our friends at the Lake.

We need volunteers as greeters, to make root beer floats or take newbies sailing.  More details will come as we get closer to the event. Let me know if you can help;  we need YOU! More details will follow as we approach the event. Most of all, bring your friends who show interest in sailing.  Plan to stay for the final drawing and very special Closing Ceremony. It’s going to be a great day to kick off our Sailing Season.  Let me know if you can volunteer either 9:00 am - noon; or Noon – 4:00 pm. After the event, let’s get on our boats and sail the rest of the evening until sunset.

Contact me at commodore@saylorvilleyachtclub.org to sign up to volunteer or to ask questions or make comments.  I love hearing from you!

Lois Dixon | SYC Commodore

WEATHER & ANXIOUS SAILORS

March came in like a lion; let’s hope it goes out like a Lamb!  Enough snow, cold and rain in Iowa. However, Spring is right around the corner!  As we wait for the warm weather to come, also comes the flooding. We’ve been through this drill before and it’s always a challenge of getting our boats in the water.  Hang in there! Sailing Season will come!

RACE PLANNING MEETING

Fields, our Race Director has scheduled the Race Planning Meeting on Saturday, March 23.   If you are interested in any part of racing, it will be helpful to join the fun and see what is on schedule for 2019.   Be sure to RSVP. I hear he is bringing donuts and coffee. I encourage you to attend and be part of the planning process.  Invite your sailing friends.

SAYLOR SEA GULLS SERIES

I’ve been involved in Women’s Sailing for over a decade and find it’s a camaraderie that is beyond description.  I’d like to introduce the women of SYC to get more involved with Women’s Sailing. Search Women on the Water (WOW) or Women’s Sailing to see what it’s all about.  I’ve asked Fields if we can introduce a Women skippers series of races with Women at the Helm. This will enable women to skipper a boat through a race, with their own start and complete a race.  The only requirement will be that the women skippers the boat only throughout the race thus eliminating the docking issues. It’s going to be a great time to learn more about sailing that just serving refreshments.

Looking forward to seeing you all soon and thank you for your support.

Smooth sailing wherever you are,

Lois Dixon, SYC Commodore

(515) 205-7047 |  commodore@saylorvilleyachtclub.org

Ahoy Sailors!  Lucky for us, we are still sailors no matter what the weather is outside.  Hearing about the snow in Iowa, I am sending wishes that you are staying warm and safe. 

Over the past month your Board, Racing Directors, Social committee and Sailing School has been working hard to prepare a great season ahead for all of us at SYC and SYCSS. We have made great progress on our potential contract with the Marina, membership dues, and a great line up of activities for 2019.  

The Membership Team is actively preparing updated Membership levels and our 2019 Membership Drive which will begin later this month.  Watch for the upcoming communication from Jenn and Jerry so you can sign up!

Because of the Clubhouse and our community upgrades, the membership dues will need to increase in order to cover the costs of these investments in our sailing community. No matter what, I hope you will appreciate the new location and feel it valuable to have our own Clubhouse right there on the lake. It will be a great place to gather with old and new sailing friends, while enjoying camaraderie both on and off the water. 

This is truly a historic time for our Club and School and you are all part the long awaited vision to finally have a place to call home.  No more moving equipment and supplies around which will allow more fun at our social times, classes, and less work for our volunteers.  This also gives opportunity to invite friends who are interested in sailing and safe boating to check us out and hopefully join us for the SYCSS new First Sail Program coming in 2019. Think about friends and family who you can invite to join our Club and who are interested in learning more about sailing through our Sailing School.

Looking forward to the best year ever at SYC.  Thank you for your support.

Smooth sailing wherever you are,

Lois Dixon, SYC Commodore

(515) 206-7047 |  commodore@saylorvilleyachtclub.org

Hello Members,

Just when you thought you could curl up for a long winter’s nap, some of us are thinking sailing.  After all, we are a Sailing Club and even though many of our Snowbirds have flown South, for the Winter, we will continue with some great Winter events for those who are still there.  

I do hope you are having a Happy New Year and are relaxed after the holidays.  Your new Board has been very busy planning a 2019 Schedule for Racing, Social and Educational events.  We have some new and fresh ideas coming your way!

Yes, after much discussion and listening to your comments, on Dec 20, your Board voted unanimously to proceed, and start negotiating a contract with Suntex to lease the 2^nd floor of the Main Building at the Marina. This area has without a doubt the most beautiful view on all Saylorville Lake and will give us an awesome location to house our Club and our School.  This is a historical time for SYC and offers more visibility for our Club to invite new members, have our social functions and equipment in the same place, and make a special place to call our own and close to our boats; a real Home!

A committee of 3 was appointed by the Board and met with Mike Slatterly, the General Manager of SLM several times during the Holiday Break.  The Board’s questions and requests were addressed and after a cost comparison of similar facilities, it was agreed that this was a good decision and we should proceed exploring the option of permanent home for the Club and School. If our terms are met and the contract is signed, we’re looking at a general timeline of being in our home before the Sailing Season starts.

Please remember, this is a process and at this point, a general schedule.  My goal is to keep you updated as we move through this progress. A special thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey, your voices were heard. You may see another one coming soon as we continue the planning process. Your opinions and comments mean a lot to us.

With all this said, we have some exciting events coming up this month to kick off our Season of fun! You won’t want to miss it. Make your resos now.

Please feel free to contact me at any time.  

Smooth sailing wherever you are,

Lois Dixon, SYC Commodore

(515) 206-7047  

commodore@saylorvilleyachtclub.org

From Commodore Donna Nelson: 

We still need volunteers for these positions for 2019:

                  Commodore

                  Vice Commodore

  Historian

                  Racing

                  Social

                  Membership

                  Education Director

If you are interested in learning more about the SYC Board positions, please feel free to contact me commodore@saylorvilleyachtclub.org. I will be happy to visit with you. 

Here is an overall view of the board structure:

Section 1 – Titles

Officers shall consist of Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Secretary, Purser, Communications Director, two Social Directors, Membership Director and Historian.

Section 2 – Term of Office

The Officers and Directors shall be elected by the Members at the annual meeting of the members and shall hold office for one calendar year commencing the January next following the annual meeting of members and until their successors are chosen and qualified.

Section 3 – Commodore

The Commodore shall preside at all meetings of the members and Board of Directors.  He/She shall have and exercise general control and supervision of the affairs of the organization.

Section 4 – Vice-Commodore

The Vice-Commodore shall have general control and supervision of the social activities of the organization and shall exercise the duties of the Commodore in his/her absence.

Section 5 – Secretary

The Secretary shall keep all official documents and records, and shall maintain records of the proceedings of all meetings of members and the Board of Directors.  The Secretary shall also be responsible for all official correspondence.

Section 6 – Purser

The Purser shall be responsible for the financial records and affairs of the organization.

Section 7 – Communications Director

The Communications Director shall be responsible for communications to the membership by maintaining the club web site, social media, creating and distributing event promotions, and publish the newsletter.

Section 8 – Social Director

The Social Directors shall be responsible for the social events throughout the year.  The events will include, however not limited to, two pre-launch events, two brunch events, three dock parties, and the planning of the annual meeting.

Section 9 – Membership Director

The Membership Director shall update the membership directory on an annual basis with distribution to the membership in a timely manner.

Section 10 – Historian

The Historian shall maintain long term historical records of the organization and all sponsored events.

Section 11 – Race Director

The Racing Director shall be responsible for planning and administrating all racing events for the club.  He/She will record results and maintain records for racing during the year.

Section 12 – Education Director

The Education Director shall be responsible for planning and administrating all education activities for the club.  He/She shall organize, promote, and carry out a Sailing Education Program that includes conducting basic sailing classes.

Section 13 – Vacancy

A vacancy in any Office or Director shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors for the unexpired term.

2018 SYC Regatta In Review

The 2018 SYC Regatta was held on August 18 and 19, 2018, on Saylorville Lake.  This year’s race management team was managed by Dick Leaders and Craig Johnson. The race committee team included Greg Annexstad, Karl Wilt and several other sailors.

The regatta has historically been a two day event with a mix of both buoy racing and distance racing.  The 2018 version was no exception.  The race committee had the most challenging conditions on Saturday when they found that they had competitors, race management and all of the equipment needed to run the race – but, they were lacking a key component – wind.  The postponement flag was eventually dropped and seven competitors began sailing toward the windward mark. 

 The race had diverse group of boats sailing.  The fleet ranged from an Olsen 40 to a Hobie 16 – all faced the challenge of light winds.  The race ended with Ed and Lois Dixon sailing their Hobie 16 to the finish first.  Three other boats finished the race and the remainder retired.  The race committee abandoned the remaining races for the day.

One of the great things about sailing is that every day brings a new set of conditions and a new set of challenges.  Sunday was an excellent example of this aspect of our sport.  The wind had returned to provide the eight boats competing with near perfect conditions for the Distance Race.  The course had the weather mark set near the dam and the leeward mark set near the Milelong bridge. 

The Saylorville Yacht Club awards three special awards to the Regatta competitors for the winner of the buoy races the Dan Wisnousky Memorial Trophy is awarded, to the winner of the distance race the  Dr. Keith Riggins Memorial Trophy is awarded and to the overall winner of the regatta the Commodore’s Trophy is awarded.  These trophies are awarded to each of the competitors at the Saylorville Yacht Club Annual meeting and banquet.

 The Saylorville Yacht Club could not host this event without the assistance of the volunteers and the financial support provided by Karl Chevrolet.

--Fields Gunsett

 

Greetings Fellow Sailors!

As you all know, our Saylorville Yacht Club is run by volunteers who serve on the SYC Board.   We have had great volunteers this year.  I hope you have been enjoying the season and events that have taken place.

 It’s that time of year again, however, when the board is preparing for the 2019 season.  In looking ahead , there is great need for people to step up and fill vacant board positions.  I am asking each of you to consider taking a turn to serve our membership. 

SYC positions available for 2019 are:

                  Commodore

                  Vice Commodore

                  Secretary

                  Communications Director

                  Racing

  Historian

                  Social

                  Membership

                  Purser

                  Website Administrator

It is critical that we identify someone for Purser, Communications Director, and Website Administrator ASAP, as time is needed for incoming people to learn the electronic systems that are in place.

On a side note, the SYC School is also looking for people to fill open positions for 2019; ie directors, officers, or volunteers.  If you are interested in information about working with the school, please contact Greg Annextad WGADSM@aol.com or info@sycss.org . 

If you are interested in learning more about the SYC Board positions, please feel free to contact me commodore@saylorvilleyachtclub.org .  I will be happy to visit with you.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Pancake Breakfast, Sandpiper Shelter, 10:00 a.m. on Labor Day!

Respectfully,

Donna Nelson

Commodore

commodore@saylorvilleyachtclub.org

Space is limited and reservations must be paid before October 16. 

Join us at the beautiful Hotel Pattee for our annual banquet and meeting. The evening will begin with cocktails, savory hors d'ouvers, and socializing. Tantalizing entrees await, with your choice of 

Herb Roasted Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Salad, Dessert

Martini Chicken in lemon vermouth sauce, Basmati Rice Pilaf, French Green Beans, Salad,Dessert 

Grilled Salmon, Basmati Rice Pilaf, Vegetable Medley, Salad, Dessert

The club treasury is covering half of the dinner cost- you pay just $25 per person. Reservations must be made and paid by October 16. 

The meeting will commence after dinner. Officers will give a short report, race trophies will be awarded and the members will nominate and vote for 2018 Officers. 

The hotel has a small block of rooms available for us at a rate of $129 until October 4. To make room reservations, please call the hotel directly at 515-465-3511 and mention the yacht club.

The Hotel Pattee is located at 1112 Willis Avenue in Perry.

Register-Banquet

 

Due to high winds predicted for September 16, the Pirate Rodeo is rescheduled for Saturday September 23.