The summer of 2011 proved to be a great sailing season.  The year began with a successful crane in; we had approximately 34 boats in the water within 3 hours without incidents.   Crane out was equally successful.  Many thanks to Guy and Jocelyn for organizing both dates and to all members whom participated.  Great team work was demonstrated by all.

Welcome many new members

Park Relations:

Park is finalizing the tendering process adding 10-12 more slips with the continued participation of MSA Executive.

I am working with the park to keep the winter storage fee at bay.

2011 Events:

People Power Day – We had well over 80 people turn out for this event and many thanks to MSA members whom volunteered your afternoon for this event.   Ian from park is appreciative of our support.

Parade of Lights, more than 8 boats participated and the park has already asked for our support to do this again in 2012.

Races and BBQ’s

We had 4 races and BBQ’s this session, including the Cal Creaser Cup.  The final race of the season included an all-female race crew. “Feline Fury” to my knowledge this is a first for MSA.  Great job ladies.   Many many thanks to all those that set the markers, the course, totaled results to in efforts to keep MSA Racing alive and to the social committee for organizing the race BBQ’s . No one left hungry that’s for sure!!

The Social Committee, kept the cruising spirit alive by organizing the following cruises, which proved to challenge our sailing skills during one cruise to Nackawic but all arrived safely.

• Jim Graham Memorial Cruise due to weather forecast we honored Jim with a Keith’s Beer toast at the Kim and Faye Beach.
• Cruise to Nackawic – Mexican Theme
• Cruise to Nackawic –Pirates of the Caribbean
• Weekend Cruise to Woodstock – Cancelled due to storm.  Guy, Jocelyn, Chris and Donna represented MSA in Woodstock even though they had to sail up by car.

Special Thanks:

• MSA Executive (Steve V, Nicole M, and Guy H) for their continued volunteered time to support the association.
• John R for organizing the Scout Sailing Camp and to all MSA members who volunteered to make this a success.
• Faye for working with Mark’s Work Warehouse to have the MSA logo setup and print discount cards for MSA Members.
• Social Committee for the organization of the Breakfast Socials thru the winter months.  Each month had more than 15 members attend.
• MSA Band Members for many evenings of guitar playing, drumming, wash boards and singing at Faye and Kim Beach.

I am very proud and honored to be MSA Commodore.

Kim Palmer

At last night’s AGM your “Aspiring MSA 2012 Race Committee” became your Official MSA 2012 Race Committee plus it picked up a few more people.

The Race Committee Chair is yours truly, Dino Kubik, and your members are: Rod Pickles, Kevin Pegler, Steve Vardy ,  Dale Hamilton, John Tarr and John Beal

We look forward to engaging you all over the 2012 season and continuing the MSA traditions of  great participation, dramatic finishes, and fun BBQs. The Wednesday Night Race Series is a new edition to the schedule and is sure to offer a new dimension to life at Mactaquac.

Thanks to the meeting for confirming the Race Committee and the members for coming forward.

Here are a few picks from the MSA 2012 AGM

We had a great presentation on the Rules of Racing from Kevin P which resulted in some interesting conversations and discussi
One thing about the MSA Gang, they will listen but only so long. Kevin managed the Gang and delivered a great presentation. More on that below

Four Race Dates and Four Race Volunteers for Each Date

We have set dates for our four monthly races and individual racers have committed to do some heavy lifting at one race each. We expect every racer will commit to being on the organizing team for at least one race. We  ask people to make that commitment as soon as possible. We will assigned 4 people to each. race

Race #1 Father Day Race – Sunday, June 17. Rod Pickles; Derek Grant,  Steve Vardy, Geoff Williams

Race #2  Sunday July 8 – The Sunday after the July Long Weekend John Tarr, Kevin Pegler, 2 more racers needed

Race #3 -The Cal Creaser Cup – Saturday, August 11 Peter Manson, Dale Hamilton, John Rankin, Shawn Bilerman

Race #4 – Sunday September 9 – The Sunday after the Sept Long Weekend Dino Kubik, Ann Harvey, 2 more racers needed.

Tuesday Night Racing for 2012 We  are setting up an informal MSA Tuesday Night Race Night based on these points.

• Informal
• Start time is 5pm and skippers meeting happen on the water before the start.
• Mixed Fleet
• No promises of timers, handicap adjustments, or official results.

Race Committee We have a list of people willing to be the 2012 Race Committee and these are Dino Kubik, Rod Pickles, Kevin Pegler, Steve Varty, and Dale Hamilton. Additional people are being sought and a motion will be taken the AGM to confirm these people.

The Presentation

Kevin Pegler Leads Us Through The Rule... The Important Ones

Many thanks to Kevin Pegler for a great presentation and with an even better  delivery that encouraged a balanced discussion and enjoyable discussion.

Kevin applied his understanding of the MSA mindset, tossed in his memories of what has gone wrong at MSA races, layered in some Wayfarer resources, and then mixed it all  with a dash of his 50 years of sailing experience to cook up one hell of an educational, yet entertaining, talk.

Hats off the Kevin. Kevin provided us a link found below for the unlucky people who were not part of one entertaining evening.

http://www.wayfarer-international.org/wit/race.related/racingrulesofsailing/BeginnersRules/BeginnersRulesforprinting2009.html

The 1st 2012 MSA Race is on Father’s Day June 19 Season but the starting horn has already sounded on the planning and the scheming. This Wednesday April 25 at 7:30 is your first event when we gather at Renaissance College for a Rules of Racing Presentation by Kevin P followed by some 2012 planning.

There is no other MSA activity that “brings all the boys & girls to the yard” like race day so come on out on Wednesday night

Here are your 2012 MSA Race Days.

• Race #1 Father Day Race – Sunday June 17 Start at 1pm and BBQ to follow
• Race #2 – Sunday July 8 – The Sunday after the July Long Weekend
• Race #3 -The Cal Creaser Cup-. Saturday August 11 features an around the island race up to Evert’s Camp Ground and a post race BBQ and Bon Fire Firstly.
• Race #4 – Sunday September 9 – The Sunday after the Sept Long Weekend

We have a few things on the works for 2012.

Firstly, on Wednesday April 25 we are having a 25 minute presentation an Q&As on the Racing Rule of the Road. This will be of great value to all MSA sailors as it will provide an review of the General Rules of the Road for sailors

Secondly, our 2012 Race Committee (2012 RC) is looking like  a combination of Old Salts and. New Bloods. The confirmed Old Salts are myself, Rod P., Kevin P., Steve V and Ben J.plus we will be looking for another 3 or 4 New Bloods to be on the 2012 RC.

Thirdly, we are going to the membership  at the AGM to approve a $100 per race to hire “qualified workers”. In 2011 people were hired but they were were neither “qualified” nor “workers” according to what has been reported back to me. These 2012 hired guns will do the tasks that are now keeping “wanna race people” on shore.

Finally, to tie it all together, we are preparing a list of “Race Day Doings” that MSA members can come out and pitch in on. A number of people have approached me over the off season to say how much fun racing has been and how they want to pitch in during 2012.

No there is even talk of having an more informal Wednesday night race series… as if our monthly races are not informal enough!

Race Days are Fun Days @ the MSA and our goal is to have more people join in the fun.

Here are a few reminders of how much fun MSA Race Days are:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYKqZ3AglTk&feature=plcp&context=C4010700VAvjVQa1PpcFN3ctdpGMpeN268zUovzcEet3P1mk-4sWM=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxWvk-SgmMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqR-Xjpon04

http://youtu.be/qR_kwfXYgeo

Hope to see you Wednesday April 25 at 7:30

Your Aspiring MSA 2012 Race Committee

Dino, Rod, Kevin, Steve and Ben.

On Wednesday, April 25 in Renaissance College on Corner of Church &  Charlotte Streets  we  start  the MSA 2012 Race Season early with an evening of Race Rules Review and 2012 Planning. 

Rennaisance College 811 Charlotte Street

 This is your chance to get an overview of the rules and courtesys of the game so you can get out there and have some fun too.

We start at 7:30 with the intoductions, then an overview of the rules, then we plan the 2012 season.

So, come on over for an update of the rules and some socializing

Dino

The Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron (FPS) has invited us to the a  Boat Talk happening on Wednesday, April 11th @ 7:30pm at Renaissance College at the corner of Church and Charlotte Streets.

The April 11 Boat Talk is on wilderness canoeing in Northern Canada by Fredericton paddler Paul Meyer and Fredericton Outdoor Educator Beth Johnston. Paul and Beth will give a presentation on their 2008 Self-Guided Trip on the NWT’s Mountain River. The Mountain River has been called Canada’s best wilderness canoeing river while Paul and Beth are definitely 2 of Fredericton’s favorite paddlers. They just might be among the best Fredericton paddlers, too. It will be a rare and real treat to hear about a 14-day “Self Guided” wilderness trip of this nature. Self-Guided trips of this nature are something a little different and speak to the charactor of Paul and Beth.

If that is not enough, Paul and Beth will also discuss their upcoming 2012 trip on the Nahanni River.

This will be one of the FPS most widely appealing Boat Talks so…. make sure you are at Renaissance College at the corner of Church and Charlotte Street on Wednesday, April 11th @ 7:30pm as the FPS hosts Paul Meyer and Beth Johnston on “Paddling Canada’ Best Northern Wilderness River – The Mountain River.”

That’s Wednesday, April 11 @ 7:30 pm.

The following ROC(M) with DSC course and the seminar on RADAR,GPS,Electronic Charting can now be registered on-line at www.cps-ecp.ca.  The Canadian Power and Sail (CPS-ECP) website.
Click “Courses” then “Course Calendar” then pick “Fredericton” for squadron then click on “View Events Now” and proceed to fill out registration and payment. If you do not want to do on-line then a cheque to “Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron” can be given

at time of first class.  Please let me know if you prefer to use a cheque.

Note:  At this time we are working on a larger class for the ROC(M) DSC class. When a location has been finalized you will be informed. Also, please note that the seminar has a good demand so your on-line registration will help us to have material at first night.
The Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron thanks you for your interest in our efforts to supply information to the boating community so that your boating experience can be safer and more enjoyable.

1.  Maritime Radio Course.  ROC(M) with DSC Upon completion this gives the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with Digital Selective Calling On the water this is the way to communicate an emergency. Start date:   Thursday March 22,    then Thursday March 29,   then following week test. CPS member  $ 70,  nonmember $ 100 Note:  Knowing the phonetic alphabet is a requirement, ALPHA, BRAVO, CHARLIE, …. Please consider this important certificate.
2.  Seminar: Basic Coastal Navigation, US Power and Sail material.This short 3 night series will cover the basics of RADAR, GPS, then Electronic Charting. The manual supplied is: “The Weekend Navigator” by Bob Sweet.Start date: Wednesday March 28, 7pm,  RADAR,  then Wednesday April 4, 7pm, GPS,then last session Wednesday April 11, 7pm, Electronic Charting.Location:  Devon Middle School The format of these sessions would be an open discussion of information given.These topics will give you the information needed to make full use of the manual supplied.CPS member  $ 50,  nonmember $ 60
Thank You from FPS Peter Carlisle Squadron Training Officer, Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron

Ahoy….here are 2 great courses from your friends at the FPS.

You don’t want to miss  the January’s Free Monthly Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron’s Boating Talk on Ice Boating by our own Mike C and friends.

Kevin P. sailing his DN Ice Boat, Jan 2011. Photo by Mike C.

The Talk happens Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 7:30 pm on the 2nd floor of Renaissance College.

The Fredericton Power and Sail Squadrons (FPS) will be hosting local boaters to a free “Boat Talk” on Ice Boating with local ice boaters Mike C. and friends. These boys have excellent conditions up on the Head Pond and are interested in expanding the Ice Boating Community.  The boat of choice is a simple Detroit News or DN Iceboat which can generate speeds 3-4 times the speed of the wind at time hitting speeds of  in the range of 70km/hr.

So take the sting out of those long winter nights waiting for soft water first attending our January Ice Boat Talk, then getting involved with the sport. Come find out what it takes to into the ice boating game from other members of the Fredericton Boating Community. This will be interesting.

Hope to see you Tuesday, January 24th on the second floor of Renaissance College (RC), 811 Charlotte Street, on the corner of Charlotte and Church streets with a start time of @ 7:30 pm.

There will be videos!!!

The Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron (FPS) is hosting this free talk as part of their free Winter Boat Talk Series. Find the Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron on Face Book.

Is getting a Pleasure Craft operator’s Card (PCOC_ part of your 2012 resolution list?

If so, it just got easier and you can do it on-line with the  Canadian Power and Sail Squadron.

The offer  below will save you a few bucks, too

Lots of People...

… really, lots…

Lots and lots

We had door prizes, too….

Claude did a great job. Thanks Claude.

Claude Cote

Ahoy Boater… another worthwhile and well attended presentation is on the horizon.

Mark down Tuesday, November 8th and save the evening.

The Fredericton Power and Sail Squadrons (FPS) will be hosting local boaters to a free “Boat Talk” on Weather and Hurricanes by Claude Cote of Environment Canada. The location is the first floor of Renaissance College (RC), 811 Charlotte Street, on the corner of Charlotte and Church streets with a start time of @ 7:30 pm.

Hurricanes... a complex thing

We are very fortunate to have Claude the “Weather Guru” explain where our weather comes from, the information that is analyzed, hurricanes and some insight into Environment Canada.

There will be a question and answer period. Plus. boaters in attendance will be asked to share some of their more successful “storm preparation tactics”. Telling of tall tales will encouraged and as will be the singing of sea shanties.

Got Rope?

See you 7:3 pm on Tuesday, November 8th at Renaissance College (RC), 811 Charlotte Street, on the corner of Charlotte and Church streets.

The Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron (FPS) is hosting this free talk as part of their free Winter Boat Talk Series. Find the Fredericton Power and Sail Squadron on Face Book.

There are proving to a great social event and informative too!

Dino