Mark Marling 77
Welcome to Shawnee Yacht Club
Since 1941, SYC has promoted sailing on Lake Shawnee for the recreational benefit of the local community. In addition to the opportunity to sail on beautiful Lake Shawnee, the club provides:
- sailing lessons for those new to the sport,
- various sizes and classes of sailboats for members to use,
- a fenced boatyard with a boat ramp where members can keep their boats year-round,
- several docks (provided by Parks and Rec),
- a storage shed for equipment,
- various scheduled club sailing activities, like racing,
- various scheduled club social gatherings throughout the year
Current News
Learn to Sail
11 Apr 2024
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"Introduction to Sailing" sessions are held Wednesday evenings, June through September. Come join the fun. We provide the boats.
Dues are due
01 Apr 2024
It's time to think about the upcoming sailing season. Dues for this year are due.
Associate membership $50.
Sailing membership $100.
Boat storage in our yard $50 each summer and winter.
You can pay online HERE or send a check to: SYC, PO Box 221, Topeka, KS 66601.
Thanks if you have already sent it in.
Mark Marling
Treasurer
Topeka Weather
61.0°F - Overcast
Wind
North at 8.1 mph
Wind Chill
60°F
Humidity
75%
Barometer
29.86in
At
6:53pm
Coming Events
- 5/4, Spring Work Party, 11:00am, SYC
- 5/5, Spring Social, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
- 5/26, Spring Social Alternate?, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC
- 6/2, First Sun Group Sailing, 2:30pm-5:30pm, SYC
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Racing Blog
Common Situations That Will Happen Many Times Each Race
I repeat "COMMON SITUATIONS". "HAPPEN MANY TIMES EACH RACE". Please let this sink in!
You are beating up the right side of the lake on port tack. Tony is beating up the left side of the lake, also on port tack, but he is pointing higher than you.
You:
a) curse your bad luck
b) hope the wind will soon change in your favor
c) hope Tony tips over
d) tack
Similar situation but you are pointing higher than Tony.
You:
a) congratulate yourself on being so smart
b) hope this lasts
c) hope Tony doesn't notice
d) tack
The answer in the first case is d) tack. Tony is making out on you to the tune of maybe one boat length in five sailed. You best cut your loss and go get in Tony's wind.
The answer in the second case is c) hope Tony doesn't notice. If he does notice, he will tack and then he will be gaining the one length in five mentioned above.
You have got to watch the angles you and your competitors are sailing.
Somebody is ALWAYS gaining and someone is ALWAYS losing.
It is a game of distance, not speed.
Two boats are crossing on opposite tacks. One of you is going the correct way and the other IS NOT. This is always true.
Who is going the correct way?
a) Tony
b) whoever is pointing closest to the mark.
In the third case, the boat pointing closest to the mark is 1) closing the distance to the mark for an equivalent time sailed, and 2) is less effected by any change in wind direction.
Sailing is a geometry game.
You are beating up the right side of the lake on port tack. Tony is beating up the left side of the lake, also on port tack, but he is pointing higher than you.
You:
a) curse your bad luck
b) hope the wind will soon change in your favor
c) hope Tony tips over
d) tack
Similar situation but you are pointing higher than Tony.
You:
a) congratulate yourself on being so smart
b) hope this lasts
c) hope Tony doesn't notice
d) tack
The answer in the first case is d) tack. Tony is making out on you to the tune of maybe one boat length in five sailed. You best cut your loss and go get in Tony's wind.
The answer in the second case is c) hope Tony doesn't notice. If he does notice, he will tack and then he will be gaining the one length in five mentioned above.
You have got to watch the angles you and your competitors are sailing.
Somebody is ALWAYS gaining and someone is ALWAYS losing.
It is a game of distance, not speed.
Two boats are crossing on opposite tacks. One of you is going the correct way and the other IS NOT. This is always true.
Who is going the correct way?
a) Tony
b) whoever is pointing closest to the mark.
In the third case, the boat pointing closest to the mark is 1) closing the distance to the mark for an equivalent time sailed, and 2) is less effected by any change in wind direction.
Sailing is a geometry game.