July 2025 Papoose Article

The Lake Mohawk Yacht Club began its 2025 Sunday fleet racing on May 25th with chilly winds out of the Northwest. John Trela won both races in his Laser, followed by Mark Marussich in his Day Sailer and Jon Hirschey in his Hobie Wave. Peter Roos and Constance Gill were the Race Committee.

On June 1st there were chilly and gusty winds out of the Southwest with a fair number of white caps. When the Race Committee of Bob McNamara (our Race Committee Chair), Constance, and Rich Miner headed out to set the course, the Committee boat’s engine kept stalling. The RC was able to set all the marks for the course, but the RC boat would not start again and was towed in by Peter Roos. The first race had to be run from the dock, while Gail went to bring the Miner powerboat over to run the second race.

The excitement grew in the first race with strong gusty winds as John Trela lost his tiller during a capsize, but John showed great skill in being able sail his laser in to shore without a tiller. Overcoming the unusual course and the strong winds, Chris Mackey came in first in a Sunfish, Mark Marussich was second in a Day Sailer, Ken Kolkebeck, who races with the Nyack Boat Club, came in third in a Sunfish, and Jon Hirschey came in fourth. In the second race, John Trela came in first with a borrowed tiller, followed by Ken, Chris and Mark. The LMYC scores races now based on boat class using the Portsmouth Handicap ratings.

Jon Hirschey, our Rear Commodore Docks and Grounds, reported that on May 28th, “We had the yearly emptying of the silt basin on the north edge of our property.  The county brings in heavy equipment - Dump trucks, and a backhoe and removes several truckloads of silt.  Of course, this is difficult to do with sailboats atop the metal plates!  So, Perry Anderson, John Trela , Alex Fox and I moved the boats out onto the dock so this could be accomplished. Thanks to those who pitched in!  John and I managed to get all the boats back the next day. In a nearby picture by John Trela you can see the backhoe in action.”

The LMYC will hold its annual “4th of July” party on July 3rd, with the rain date of July 5th. Please let Jon Hirschey know if you are coming, so we can plan on the amount of food and desserts. The party is BYOB. We will need tables, chairs and tents. We are looking forward to our usual good turnout.

Our Junior Sailing Program is in full swing, running from June 30 to July 17th. So watch for a lot of young sailors in Sunfish with blue sails out on the lake on weekday afternoons. Remember, sailboats ALWAYS have right of way so please keep your distance when powerboating.

Finally, be sure to plan to be at Beach One on Saturday, August 30th for the LMYC- sponsored Margaritaville Night at the Tiki Bar, open to all LMCC members. In honor of Jimmy Buffett Day, there will be raffles, official Margaritaville souvenirs, and of course great music by the immortal “Son of a Son of a Sailor”.

Commodore Rich Miner